A HIGH-tech Malvern company which went into administration two weeks ago has closed with the loss of nearly 150 jobs.

Dytecna, based at Malvern Hills Science Park, went into administration following a downturn in trading, but hopes were high that a buyer would be found.

But today, FPR Advisory said that Dytecna has ceased trading and most of the 150-strong workforce have been made redundant.

95 of the job losses will be in Malvern; the rest are at the company's sites in Welshpool, mid-Wales and Fareham, Hampshire. 

Philip Watkins, joint administrator at FRP Advisory, said: “It goes without saying that it is deeply regrettable that a business with such a long history has had to cease trading and close its doors.

"Despite a number of parties expressing an interest in the business, no viable solution unfortunately could be found to enable the business to continue trading.

"As joint administrators our immediate focus will be to assist staff who have lost their jobs and provide them with the necessary support to submit timely claims to the Redundancy Payments Service.”

Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, said: “My thoughts are with the highly-skilled staff at this difficult time.

“I have offered my support to the team at Malvern Hills District Council and Job Centre Plus who will be attending the Dytecna site on Friday to start the process of helping to find new opportunities.

“My immediate priority is to work with the administrators to make sure that the salaries are paid properly and that employees get swift access to statutory redundancy payments.

“Many local employers are growing and have vacancies at the moment and I urge them to come forward with these opportunities as Dytecna staff are very impressive."