POLITICIANS across the political spectrum have pledged to help fight to save the Clyde shipyards after it was revealed a cost-cutting plan could see one or both face the axe.

Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy has cancelled engagements to visit the yards today and Scottish Government ministers, Glasgow MPs, MSPs and others have queued up to demand meetings with management and to vow to work to ensure Govan and Scotstoun have a future.

Owner BVT is feared to be planning to concentrate its warship building capacity in a single yard meaning two of the current three will close, after the completion of the £4bn-£5bn aircraft carriers in 2017.

Mr Murphy said: "We need to be clear on this issue. The shipbuilding industry in Scotland is in its strongest position for a generation.

"It has been a long time since the Clyde yards had such a healthy order book.

"They have work for the next decade and a unique 15-year partnering agreement with the UK Government underwrites their future.

"I am always going to fight for Scotland's shipyards. Retaining capacity and skills in the years to come is good for Glasgow, good for Scotland and good for the UK."

Meanwhile, Deputy First Minister and Govan MSP Nicola Sturgeon, has demanded action from the Prime Minister, fearing Labour would oversee the closure of the yards.

She said: "Labour must come clean over these secret plans to sell Scottish ship building down the river.

"Workers on the Clyde will have woken up this morning to this deeply disturbing news and they deserve answers immediately.

"Gordon Brown must give an immediate assurance that the UK Government will not force the closure of the Clyde yards."