A fish food plant is to close down with the loss of dozens of jobs, its owners have said.

Skretting announced on Tuesday that its site in Invergordon, Easter Ross, will cease production by April 2019.

The plant, which produces food for salmon farms, employs 51 workers.

Two jobs are also under threat at a distribution centre in Shetland.

Skretting said the move was aimed at "reducing the overcapacity in the highly competitive salmon feed market".

The Norwegian firm's CEO, Therese Log Bergjord, said: "With a new large feed plant becoming operational in Scotland early 2019, the total feed capacity in the region is expected to exceed the total market by more than 50%.

"This is driving down prices, leading to an unsustainable commercial environment"

"We have therefore made the decision to start consulting with our employees on a proposal to cease feed production in the UK".

Ms Bergjord said the decision to close the plant had been "tough... considering the implications for our local employees and partners".

"First and foremost, we now concentrate on finding good solutions with our employees, customers, suppliers and partners in the UK", she added.