ALMOST a hundred workers were due to clock off for the last time today (Friday) at Barnoldswick's Lontex Industries.

The factory, which manufactures speciality and high quality carpet yarns, has struggled against a depressed British market and cheaper foreign imports for some years. A firm of administrators were called in after financial problems became increasingly serious, and they had hoped to sell the business as a going concern.

However, a spokesman for the firm, Latham, Crosley and Davies, confirmed there had been no offers for the business and as a result there was no other option but to cease trading.

Seventeen of the 109-strong workforce were laid off when the administrators were first appointed, and the remaining 92 were due to lose their jobs when the firm closes today.

Originally part of the ICI group, Lontex was the subject of a management buyout in 1990, led by managing director Bill Martin. At that time the business was thriving, with full order books and a seven-day week in operation. However, it was hit hard by the recession and never really recovered as customers looked elsewhere for cheaper alternatives to its top quality carpet yarns.

The factory premises, at Fern Bank Mill, are rented, but it is expected that the firm's equipment will be auctioned off by the administrators.

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