MYSTERY surrounds the sudden closure of Cromwell's, the well-known Upton-upon-Severn chocolatiers, which ceased trading last Friday.

Marina Bray, of accountants Smith and Williamson, would only confirm the firm had gone into liquidation with effect from August 3. No one from the company was available for comment.

"All members of staff have been made redundant and a meeting of creditors has been called for August 22," she said.

Pat Fletcher, who used to manage the shop, said: "The only thing I can tell you is that the firm has ceased trading.

"People have been coming up to me in the street with the wildest rumours but I can't confirm or deny anything."

The confectionery firm manufactured and exported around the world.