BOOTLE: Gas fire manufacturer Robinson Willey has ceased trading after more than 65 years.

The company, which designs and makes electric heating and ventilation products as well as the gas fires it is known for, made pre-tax losses totalling £2.5m in the three years up to its last set of published accounts in July 2008.

The directors had hoped that some major internal reviews, restructuring and debt recovery plans in 2008 would see the company return to profitability and 2009 saw some return to profitability, but ultimately it was not enough.

Insolvency practitioners Begbies Traynor have been appointed to find a buyer for the business and its assets. In the meantime, 60 employees have been made redundant.