GAZETTE & HERALD: CORSHAM plastics firm United Polymers has gone into administration, leaving 65 staff fearing for their jobs.

The firm, on the Leafield Industrial Estate, together with the main factory at Maerdy, South Wales, which produces rubber and plastic moulds for the car industry went into administration last Thursday.

Now administrators, from Kroll's Corporate Advisory and Restructuring Group are trying to sell the business as a going concern.

Ian Kitts, a spokesman for Kroll said: "The two businesses had a combined turnover last year of more than £18 million.

"There have been a number of ongoing steps to restructure the group, but it was necessary to place it in administration. It has struggled recently in what is a highly competitive market."

Administrators Adrian Wolstenholme and Alastair Beveridge will be meeting with all customers to establish their support for the group going forward. They are hoping to sell the business to a company which will continue to run it.

Mr Wolstenholme said: "We will advertise the businesses for sale and we intend to continue to trade while buyers are sought. We will do all that we can to keep employees informed."