A FRESH buyer is being sought for an engineering services specialists - just eight months after it broke off from its international owners.

Eight redundancies have been confirmed for Burnley-based KTL Tooling, which designs and manufactures equipment for the aerospace industry.

But 34 members of staff have been retained for the Innovation Drive outfit and administrators are said to be actively pursuing a sale.

Last April it was announced that Accrington-based G Parker Aero Tooling Solutions had acquired KTL from international operator Kaman, which has a major presence in Darwen.

Joint administrators Steven Muncaster and Sarah Bell were appointed earlier this month though, amid admissions that the venture has been struggling.

Mr Muncaster said: "The company has been struggling in recent months with high overheads and a number of sales orders that failed to materialise which put increasing pressure on its cash-flow position.

"We are continuing to trade while we examine its financial position and prospects, while we also try to find a buyer."

He says that the administrators are currently in negotiations with a number of interested parties.

KTL has been in existence for 60 years, making parts for the A350, F-35, Typhoon, A320, Learjet and A340.

Their client base includes BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, GKN Aerospace, Airbus EADS (Astrium) and Thales Underwater Systems.

And they retained preferred supplier status with Kaman following the break-off.