Windscreen giant goes into administration

ABOUT 1,100 jobs were under threat today after the UK's second largest windscreen repair and replacement firm collapsed into administration.

Auto Windscreens called in administrators Deloitte after suffering trading and cash-flow problems.

The majority of staff employed by the Chesterfield-based group have already been sent home while Deloitte holds "urgent" discussions to try to secure the future of the firm.

Deloitte said no redundancies had been made, but added it had asked employees to stop working, as the firm was unable to continue trading until financing is in place.

Matt Cowlishaw, partner in Deloitte's reorganisation services team in the Midlands, said: "It is extremely disappointing to see such a well-known business enter administration.

"The company worked extremely hard to try and recapitalise the business, but unfortunately this could not be achieved in the time available."