THE boss of outdoor clothing firm Karrimor today predicted a bright future for the firm in East Lancashire as workers waited to hear if the sale of company had gone through.

South African leisure and DIY group Cullinan Holdings was today due to complete the purchase of more than 83 per cent of the Clayton-le-Moors based company for more than £5 million with an unnamed British investor taking the remainder of the group.

Karrimor chief executive David Heys said it was a positive development.

"This is an investor who is looking to grow the business and its products and that is good news for Karrimor," said Mr Heys.

The firm, which employs around 150 people in East Lancashire, was taken over by 21 Invest - part of the Italian Benetton empire - in 1996 for £7 million.

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