A KENT plastics factory has gone into receivership with the loss of around 75 jobs.

Staff at Haffenden Moulding Company on the Stonar Industrial Estate at Sandwich have been told that the firm will be closing.

Production manager John Solley, who has worked for the company for 28 years , said workers were “shell-shocked”.

“We knew there were problems when the sister company became insolvent but we thought we would be OK this year, “ he added. “It is the end of an era and sad news for everyone involved.”

Haffenden used to be known locally as the “hot water bottle company” and supplied major retailers like Boots with products.

The factory moved onto its current site in 1998 and was opened by MP Margaret Beckett.