SEVENTY three jobs have been lost at what was once one of Burnley’s oldest family-run firms, insolvency experts have confirmed.

Joint administrators KPMG have insisted that efforts will be made to find a buyer for George Wilkinson bakeware and sister companies, as parent group PCS Brands faces going to the wall.

Just under 20 staff have been retained at the George Wilkinson factory in Elm Street, and similar skeleton staffs are being retained at the head office in Acton and sites in Barnsley, West Midlands and Norfolk.

Last year it was estimated around 100 jobs had been saved after the Burnley operation, which makes baking trays and wine racks, was sold to private financiers.

But Paul Flint, one of the administrators, said: “Unfortunately PCS Brands Ltd has experienced significant trading difficulties for a while and has been unable to sustain the business following our appointment as administrators.

“The business has a number of retail and wholesale outlets across the UK and we are very keen to hear from anyone who may be interested in purchasing all or part of the business and its stock.

“We have retained staff to help us fulfill current orders and support customers during this time but we have unfortunately had to make some redundancies across the business.”

In total 104 redundancies have been announced, across the UK division, with 71 being kept on.

The Burnley company, which has counted the likes of John Lewis and Debenhams among its customers, was originally founded in 1931 and became part of the Metalrax Group in the late 70s.