Uniforms for multiple schools in Lanarkshire have been lost due to a 'devastating' fire at a manufacturing factory. 

School uniform supplier Scotcrest has a skirt and pinafore manufacturer in the Greater Manchester area, but it was ravaged by a blaze last month which has resulted in 'all outstanding stock' being destroyed.

The firm said this affects high schools St Andrews and St Ambrose in Coatbridge as well as St John Ogilvie High School in Hamilton. 

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They have also lost pinafores for various primary schools in North and South Lanarkshire. 

Scotcrest has been trying to secure other suppliers but says it has proved 'extremely difficult'. 

A spokesperson for Scotcrest said: "Scotcrest regrets to inform our customers that our skirt and pinafore manufacturer had a devastating fire that completely destroyed their factory, machines and all outstanding stock still to be shipped to us.

"We have spent the last few weeks trying to find alternative suppliers to fulfil these orders but being in the middle of school season this has proved to be extremely difficult.

"We hope to have a clearer picture of when this stock will be available in a week or two but we don't expect it to be ready before the end of September.

"The items involved are the high school skirts for St Andrews and St Ambrose in Coatbridge and St John Ogilvie High in Hamilton.

"We also lost pinafores for various primary schools in North and South Lanarkshire.

"We apologise for any problems this may cause but we are working hard to find a solution and will keep everyone informed."