Jobs threat as luxury boat builder goes into administration

A luxury boat builder has gone into administration, threatening hundreds of job losses.

Fairline Boats employed around 450 workers before calling in administrators, at sites in Northamptonshire.

The firm was acquired by Wessex Bristol in September and recently announced a number of layoffs.

Unite regional officer Mick Orpin said: "This is devastating news for the workforce and their families in the run up to Christmas. It is a real blow tothe Northamptonshire economy.

"We will be talking to the administrator as soon as practical to see if a buyer can be found and jobs saved. We understand that there are orders in the pipeline.

"Unite will be giving maximum support to our members at this traumatic time."

The company operates from sites in Oundle and Corby, Northamptonshire, where it designs and manufacturers a range of luxury boats, and a testing location in Ipswich, Suffolk.

Unite has complained that the firm hasn't paid pension contributions for the past three months. Administrators at FRP Advisory have warned of redundancies.