Fears over 190 food company jobs

The company employed 450 when it was taken over in 2005

There are fears for 190 jobs after a food company which produces ready meals for supermarkets went into administration.

Fenmarc, based in Wrexham, was formerly known as Pann Krisp and produces meals mainly for the Asda chain.

Administrator Ian Brown of Deloitte said the firm blamed difficult trading and rising costs.

The company will continue to trade in the "short term" to see whether a buyer can be found.

In a statement, Mr Brown said: "Our appointment follows a difficult trading period and rising commodity costs, as a result of which the directors concluded that the company could not continue to trade in its current form.

"After discussions with customers, suppliers and employees it is my intention to allow the company to continue to trade in the short term to determine whether a buyer for the business can be found."

Pann Krisp employed about 450 workers when it was taken over by Cambridgeshire-based Fenmarc in 2005.

The takeover was hailed as a move which would create 100 new jobs and see an investment of £1.5m for new processing facilities at Wrexham.

At the time, Pann Krisp was supplying 85% of its products to Asda.

Deloitte said a further statement would be issued on Wednesday.