51 staff were made redundant throughout the firm in Todmorden, Warmley and at its regional depots. The cuts were across the board and included some sales staff. Openshaw had 103 employees, although 10 of those left prior to Ernst & Young's appointment.

A spokeswoman for Ernst & Young said: "The business couldn't support the historic staffing level."

The joint administrative receivers are continuing discussions with interested parties for some or all of the remainder of the businesses in the Openshaw Group, including Openshaw and Bousfield.

Details of Ultrachem's deal for the Bousfield business have been clarified. The firm has bought some Bousfield assets related to the manufacture of solvent washes including formulations, customer lists and equipment. The firm didn't buy any stock.

The rest of the Bousfield business including its coatings business and Bousfield (Holland), which makes fount solution, were not included in the deal and continue to trade.

Story by Barney Cox