ALMOST 70 jobs have been saved after the founder of a kitchen manufacturing company bought it back out of receivership.

Hartlebury-based J C Hatt was forced to call in receivers after hitting trouble when it moved into the higher quality kitchens market and ran up debts of around £1.5million.

The problems cast a shadow over the future of the 69 people employed by the firm at its Hartlebury Trading Estate factory.

Their jobs were saved, however, when former managing director Clive Hatt, who had taken a back seat in the company after a change in management 18 months ago, led a management buy-out to take control again.

Mr Hatt said: "As founder of the company, I could not sit back and let it go down, along with the jobs of a loyal workforce.

"I am very pleased to be back at the helm and look forward to building Hatt Kitchens back up and keeping the good name of a prestigious manufacturer."

The rescue act came on Tuesday, following the shock news on Friday of the company's problems.

Rod Butcher, of receivers Moore Stephens Booth White, said: "The company used to produce a large volume of kitchens but, following a change in management about 18 months ago, it decided to produce fewer kitchens, of higher quality.

"It was hit by a slowdown in the housing market, which led to orders being delayed - and that has been its downfall."

He added that the business had a strong order book, in spite of its problems. It had been formed by Mr Hatt in 1978 but the family relinquished control three years ago.

That was when the decision to produce lower volume, higher quality kitchens was taken but a slowdown in the housing market led to a delay in orders and a fall in turnover of more than £1 million.

As part of the purchase deal, Mr Hatt's brother, Trevor, returns with him as sales director for the retail sector, while Alan Bowden remains as sales director for contract business.