TROUBLED parts manufacturer Automotive Precision Components ceased trading after almost four months of fears for its future and the 300 people it employed.

The firm, based on an eight-acre site in Morley Road, Tonbridge, and which sold car parts to companies around the world, went into administration in December after announcing trading difficulties.

Pre-tax losses in the six months to June 30 last year widened to £1.5m from just over £1m the previous year, and half-year turnover fell from £12.2m to £9.7m.

Shares in the company, which once employed more than 600 people in Tonbridge, were suspended by the London Stock Exchange as it sought to clarify its financial position.

But just before Christmas administrators were called in and Birmingham-based accountants Grant Thornton appointed Neil Tombs and Andrew Menzies to run the company.

With a pedigree of more than 50 years it had been hoped to sell it as a going concern, but no offers were received. A stream of redundancies followed, including 130 jobs lost only last month.

Of 110 left, 80 walked out of the gates for the last time on April 1, and just 30 remain to assist with the winding down.

Mr Tombs said:"It is disappointing that a local employer of this size cannot be rescued. I wish to thank the workforce, suppliers and customers who all co-operated to enable the company to continue trading while we tried to sell the business."