STAFF are being made redundant following the collapse of a world famous 197-year-old company based in Somerset.

Pittards, which made gloves for the Royal family and emergency services, has ceased trading.

Administrators called in by the Yeovil firm were unable to find a buyer despite holding talks with an interested party.

Pittards, founded in 1826, employed 150 staff in this country and 900 in Ethiopia, where discussions are being held with local management.

Joint administrators Lucy Winterborne and Dan Hurd of EY-Parthenon's Turnaround and Restructuring team have issued a statement saying: "As no other party has expressed an interest in acquiring the business, the company has now ceased to trade with immediate effect and sadly, the majority of the Company's UK employees have been made redundant."

They added: "Administrators are assessing options with regards to its Ethiopian business and are in discussions with local management in this regard."

Gavin Miller, of Community Union's national officer for light industries, said: "The news of liquidation will come as a hammer blow to the workforce at Pittards, for the town of Yeovil and the wider county of Somerset which has been so closely associated with glove making and leather manufacturing over the course of centuries.

"Community stands ready to support our members at Pittards in any way we can during this difficult and worrying time.

"Pittards is by no means an isolated case, but rather a product of the incredibly difficult trading conditions facing manufacturers and SMEs across the country at the moment.

"At a time when the sector has needed a proactive government to give it the help it needs through difficult times, there has been a vacuum - particularly when it comes to the key issues of inflation rises and energy bills.

"The sad turn of events at Pittards demonstrates clearly why the country needs a robust and comprehensive industrial strategy now more than ever."