A south of Scotland textiles firm could be forced to halve its workforce in the face of the global downturn in trade.
Reid and Taylor has launched a 30-day consultation period with its 46-strong workforce in Langholm.
The downsizing proposal could also see the firm - established in 1837 - move to smaller premises.
Langholm councillor Dennis Male said the news was another major blow for the town and appealed for greater support for the textiles sector.
"I think there is no doubt now that the textile industry in Scotland is in total meltdown," he said.
Mr Male said any job cuts would have a major impact on the town.
Big name
"The news about Reid and Taylor and the possible loss of 50% of its jobs and probably having to move to another site is absolutely devastating for the area," he said.
"What we are talking about here is a firm that was the biggest name in textiles in the world.
"It is now down to a very small workforce and having to find new premises to try to survive."
Mr Male added that he felt the town needed to join forces with other sites in the Scottish Borders which had also suffered job cuts.
"We have got to push at Scottish Government level to see what is going to happen in these communities that relied on textiles," he said.
