Fifty jobs lost at caravan firm

Fifty jobs have been lost and another 13 are under threat at a caravan manufacturing firm in Suffolk which has gone into administration.

Administrators KPMG said Fleetwood Caravans Limited in Hall Street, Long Melford, was "yet another victim of the current economic downturn".

KPMG said it was hoping to sell Fleetwood, which has an annual turnover of £7m, as a going concern.

Fleetwood sells its caravans through dealers across the UK and Ireland.

Administrator David Standish said: "Following careful consideration of all of the options available it became clear that Fleetwood Caravans Limited had no alterative other than to be placed into administration.

"Unfortunately the company has become yet another victim of the current economic downturn as discretionary spending, particularly on big-ticket items, is either deferred or cancelled.

"That said, the Fleetwood brand name is strong in the marketplace and synonymous with the first-class quality of the caravans produced at the Long Melford site.

"Accordingly, we are making every effort to sell the business as a going concern and would ask any interested parties to contact us."