ONE of East Lancashire's more unusual health ventures is set to call it a day.

Administrators have been called in to wind up Cryo Express, in Blackburn, are just under two years of trading.

Professional footballers, Preston-based Team GB boxer Lisa Whiteside and a host of other sporting stars had used the Cunningham Court clinic to aid their natural recovery process.

Ultra-cold temperatures are used to help athletes, and a wide range of would-be customers, to either recuperate or seek assistance with recurring injuries.

The technology was first employed by the Japanese as long ago as the late 70s, as a way of treating rheumatoid arthritis.

When Cryo Express opened it was the first such operation of its kind in Lancashire to offer whole body treatments. Spot cryotherapy had been on offer since 2014.

The Blackburn outfit, which was said to be developing a 'centre of excellence' for the discipline, was also nominated for a health and social care prize at last year's Hive business awards.

But a notice has now been posted on the London Gazette, confirming that the company is facing voluntary liquidation.

Manchester-based Path Business Recovery has been appointed to handle the administration process, after a winding-up resolution was passed last week, on behalf of directors Debbie Brotherton-Masson and Nargis Malik.

And their last available accounts, running to the end of July last year, showed they only had £72,163 falling due to longer-term creditors.

No-one at Cryo Express was available for comment when contacted by the Lancashire Telegraph, as we went to press.

But Debs Brotherton-Masson, when the company was introducing its whole body units in November 2017, said: "The benefits of cryotherapy are vast.

"It can help treat pain and aid recovery from sports injuries and heavy training.

"It also works on the skin to provide a youthful appearance and can give a significant boost to weight loss."