Last Friday (22 August), 16 employees joined 12 other staff members who had been made redundant earlier in the week.

Administrators KPMG had made 180 of the 260 staff at the 135-year-old Guardbridge, St Andrews-based company redundant in July.

Unite regional officer Willie Wallace said: "Parties are still pursuing interest, but things aren't looking that great. If anything is going to be done it has to be done quickly."

Former Curtis managing director Keith Chapman has said there is "unlikely to be a rescue", as those interested are struggling to raise the necessary funds in the economic downturn.

He said: "I did what I could to ensure people were properly paid, and campaigned for two weeks unpaid."

Chapman negotiated some public aid, although he said that not much can be offered under European Commission rules.

He said: "My impression is that there is little likelihood of the mill reopening."

Chapman was amongst the original redundancies made on 24 July.