Members of a group tasked with securing a future for the Michelin plant in Dundee have been announced by economy secretary Derek Mackay.

Scottish Enterprise chief executive Steve Dunlop and Dundee City Council leader John Alexander will lead the group.

Michelin trades union members will represent the workforce alongside plant manager John Reid.

Leading business experts will also join the action group, which meets for the first time on Monday.

The factory's 845 employees were told earlier this week the plant would close its doors within two years.

Michelin said the market for premium smaller tyres such as those produced at the Tayside factory has dropped significantly due to an increase in cheap imports from Asia and a shift to larger car tyres.

Despite confirming they intend to close the plant in 2020, Michelin have agreed to look in detail at any proposals for the future of the plant that are brought forward by the action group or trades unions.

Mr Mackay said: "I have been clear that the Scottish Government will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to find a viable and sustainable future for the plant and its highly skilled workforce.

"The Michelin Action Group will work tirelessly in the coming weeks to explore all options and provide Michelin with a proposition that demonstrates what support can offered, be it business rates or financial aid, to help retain a presence in Dundee.

"Working with the workforce and industry experts, the group will examine how the plant could be repurposed for the future if Michelin decide to press ahead with the closure."

Councillor John Alexander, leader of Dundee City Council added: "This Action Group will hit the ground running with one focus, to retain Michelin's footprint in Dundee.

"I want to thank the Scottish Government in particular, for their unwavering support for the workforce and the city at this difficult time."

The members of the Michelin Action Group are:

Derek Mackay, Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Finance

Steve Dunlop, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise

Councilor John Alexander, Leader of Dundee City Council

David Mundell, Secretary of State for Scotland

John Reid, Site Director, Michelin Dundee

Professor Keith Ridgway, Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre

Sarah Jardine, Chair of the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service Board

Marc Jackson, Michelin Dundee Site Convenor, Unite

Dougie Maguire, Regional Unite Convenor, Unite

Bob Macgregor, Regional officer, Unite

Davie Brady, Michelin Dundee Branch Convenor, Unite

David Martin, Chief Executive of Dundee City Council

Ellis Watson, Chair of Tay Cities Enterprise Forum

Tim Allan, Deputy Chair of the Tay Cities Enterprise Forum and President of Scottish Chambers of Commerce

Alison Henderson, Chief Executive of Dundee Chamber of Commerce

Damien Yeates, Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland

Advice will also be sought from a range of manufacturing leaders including Dr Hamid Mughal, Co-Chair of the Strategic Leadership Group of the National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland.