A £1MILLION takeover of a troubled company has saved 90 jobs.

More than 90 staff at Automotive Applied Technologies (AAT), Exchange Street, Accrington, faced redundancy if a buyer could not be found.

But the future of the business, which manufactures trims for cars, has been secured after it was purchased by West Midlands based firm Meba Limited.

Meba company secretary Gary Ellis said: "Over the weeks previous to the takeover Meba have made significant inroads with a view to expanding the existing client and product base at AAT.

"Meba Limited and its partners look forward to re-establishing AAT in Accrington as the thriving enterprise that it once was."

The business hit hard times after the 2005 collapse of MG Rover, which made up 50 per cent of its orders, forcing AAT to cut 50 jobs after work dried up.

The business also recently faced stiff competition from manufacturers in the Far East, where labour rates are lower.

Mr Ellis said: "We want to build the site up and are fully committed to a long term involvement with AAT. All the workers have been reassured they will not lose their jobs. "

AAT's managing director Tony Cox said: "Meba is intending to move into the business and hopefully see it grow. There have been financial difficulties and there will probably be some challenging times ahead for them."