RECEIVERS are hoping a buyer can be found for antiques firm Bygone Times International which has just crashed with the loss of more than 30 jobs.

The firm -- which operated from Grove Mill, The Green, Eccleston -- has gone into liquidation after suffering internet and cashflow problems.

Manchester-based receivers Croll are handling matters.

A spokesman for them said: "We are still reviewing everything.

"They were going big on the internet and have been let down by people who have not paid their bills.

"They spent something like £1m on the internet a year ago and were going to set up ebygone.com

"They have had some people themselves go bust on them."

He said that the receivers were looking at selling the company's assets, but added there was a possibility a buyer could be found.

"There's been a lot of interest nationally. It is a very good company. We are hoping we can sell it as a going concern.

"If people hadn't gone bust and they hadn't spent so much money on the internet they would still be in business today."

The spokesman said he thought only "three or four" workers had not found new employment.

"Most of them were carpenters and joiners, they were workshop specialists and did contract work. Most of them have got jobs because of the specialist work they do," he added.

Bygone Times International, originally owned by millionaire businessman John Rigby, is a completely separate business to neighbouring Bygone Times which is owned by Anglo Properties, who also own Botany Bay in Chorley. Popular Bygone Times, a large antiques and memorabilia warehouse, still continues to trade as normal and remains open to the public 364 days a year.

A major feature of Bygone Times International's business was creating themed pubs.

Paul Westhead, commercial director of Anglo Properties, said some of his customers had become confused over the two businesses and were ringing Bygone Times fearing it had closed.

"Bygone Times International is a big warehouse, but it is not what people believe is Bygone Times.

"To be honest it is fairly fresh in people's minds, but people have rung up and we have told them we are still open.

"I think it will have an impact on us. I suppose we will only find out in the next couple of weeks," he said.

John Wilson, leader of Chorley Borough Council, said: "It is always sad when there is news of this kind, particularly when, as a council, we are always striving, not only to strengthen local companies, but also to encourage new business into our borough."

The council has stepped in to help the workers.

Yesterday (Wednesday, February 27) at Eccleston Youth and Community Centre between 10am-4pm, council staff were due to join representatives from the Job Centre, Career Link, the Benefits Agency and Business Link to give job advice ranging from making an application and putting together a CV to retraining and starting in business.