The receiver charged with saving a huge Bradford carpet firm today said he was optimistic a buyer could be found.

Carpets International, which has its head office in Rooley Lane, Bradford, was placed into administrative receivership on Wednesday afternoon.

The firm, which employs around 150 staff in Bradford and 1,200 nationally, has been hit by changing market trends and foreign competition.

But today joint administrative receiver Roger Marsh, of the Leeds office of PricewaterhouseCoopers, said there had already been inquiries from possible purchasers for the business.

And he stressed the firm, which is the UK's biggest carpet manufacturer, had some "fantastic brands" and "high quality products" which should make it an attractive proposition.

It is understood a decision will be made in the next few days regarding any job losses as a new buyer is sought.

"This business has got some fantastic well known brands and some very high quality products, and I am going to dedicate all my efforts towards securing the firm's future," he said.

Nick Halton, regional industrial organiser for the Transport and General Workers' Union, said the union was expected to hold talks with the receivers today.

It still has around 30 members at the firm, which has only maintained its head office in the city where it once employed more than 1,000 workers.

He said staff at the Bradford office had been left "shell shocked" by Wednesday's announcement. And he lay the blame for the downturn in the company's fortunes at the door of subsidised foreign competitors and DIY television shows promoting hard wood flooring rather than carpets.