SIXTY five people have been made redundant after a specialist window and door manufacturer went into administration today.

Octaveward Ltd, Balle Street Mill, Darwen, last week sent staff home, blaming a problem with its bank account.

Now the firm has gone into administration. Partners at Zolfo Cooper Europe have been apointed as joint administrators.

Today Zolfo Cooper said 65 staff had been made redundant, and revealed they were attempting to 'trade the company on a scaled down basis'.

Six remaining staff have been stood down from duties, the administrators said.

Zolfo Copper said Octaveward had 'endured period of difficult trading conditions, exacerbated by the ongoing affect of the recent recession on Britain's construction industry'.

Graham Wild of Zolfo Cooper said: "This company has been part of the Darwen community for more than 25 years and has established itself as a quality supplier of its products to many local authorities, housing associations and public sector bodies.

"We believe the business represents a good opportunity for a investor looking to grow their business, as the construction sector begins to recover from the recent recession."

The company manufactures canopies, doors and windows for the construction industry - predominantly local authorities, housing associations and public sector bodies, with a few small commercial contracts.

The Balle Street Mill houses design, production, sales and administrative functions for the company.

Roy Moore, who has worked at the firm for 10 years, was told the news in a phone call this morning.

He said: "Everyone's gutted, basically.

"We were given no notice or indication that this was going to happen, and we don't know what's going on."

Last week Octaveward bosses said they were unclear what the problem with a bank account was, and were shocked as they had 'a full order book'.