Shipbuilder put into hands of receiver

Britain's oldest firm of commercial shipbuilders has been put into the hands of the receivers, a union official said.

But 11th hour efforts were still going on to find a buyer for the 148-year-old Appledore Shipbuilders yard on the river Torridge in north Devon, which employs around 550 people.

The GMB union convenor, Roger Harkness, said following talks with management, that chairman John Langham had put the business in the hands of the receivers.

"They will be taking over from tomorrow," said Mr Harkness.

But he added: "As we speak there are still talks going on with a party that we are hopeful of taking over the business."

He said the workforce at the yard "were in the hands of the receiver".

"Until the receivers come into the yard, men are still employed.

"We will take things as they come after tomorrow morning when the receiver takes over," he said.

"If we have to buy a bit more time we will do our best to do so.

"At this 11th hour I am still hopeful that we will get a good outcome to this situation," added Mr Harkness.

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