Enterprising colleagues at a failed Shipley firm are overcoming the blow of losing their jobs by going into business for themselves.

Charlotte Eva and her colleagues Rob Yorke and Andy Godber were devastated when they heard their company Praxis Tailoring was going into receivership.

They work in the finance and IT support departments at Praxis and have been kept on by receivers Smith & Williamson while outstanding orders are completed.

But instead of looking for new jobs to go to after that, they have decided to set up their own company.

Miss Eva, 25, of Thackley, Bradford, said: "What's happened is a great shame and although the clothing business and textile industry isn't as booming as it used to be, it still came as a shock.

"It was a great company to work for. We all get on really well and wanted to carry on working together - we were discussing what we were going to do one dinner time and just decided to go for it.

"We're aiming at smaller local businesses that don't have their own finance departments but need people who know what they're talking about.

"We'll do things like book-keeping, payroll and credit control and also have someone who can provide IT support and web design.

"It will be called Infinite Solutions and we're setting it up at the moment in our spare time and trying to drum up business.''

Henry Shinner, the Praxis case manager for London-based chartered accountants Smith & Williamson, said a dozen-strong skeleton staff had been kept on at the company's premises in Saltaire Road, Shipley, while outstanding orders are completed by employees based in Ferryhill, County Durham.

Last August the company - whose clients have included Next, Bhs and Laura Ashley - announced the loss of more than 100 jobs at Shipley and Ferryhill. A production site in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, was also closed.

The company - a specialist in manufacturing women's skirts and trousers - blamed a downturn in trading for the job losses. Some 70 design, technical and head office staff had remained in Shipley.

Mr Shinner said a meeting of the company's creditors would be held over the next few weeks.

Infinite Solutions can be contacted on 07803 687451.

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