Two more furniture firms sold off

The Deeside Furniture factory at Greenfield near Holywell was due to close next month with work transferred to another company site in south Wales.

Receivers Ernst and Young said they have had inquiries from at least three potential buyers.

Around 1,500 jobs were in the balance at the Bridgend-based group, although three firms have so far been sold.

The Greenfield factory supplies furniture to Marks and Spencer.

Workers were told of the closure in May and were offered enhanced redundancy payments to stay on until 26 August to complete existing orders.

One worker said: "It's glimmer of hope. We're not sure whether this will be a temporary reprieve, but it's good news that they're keeping the factory open while they try to sell it.

Three other firms in the group have already been sold

"Our only concern is how our redundancy payments will be affected if the attempt fails."

The group has eight plants across the UK, employing 1,500 workers - the majority of them in Wales.

The receivers have already announced the sale of Wyvern Furniture and Earlybird Furniture, both based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire. The firms have been taken over by management, saving more than 200 jobs.

The Cambria Mobel factory in Pontypridd has already been sold off, saving around 400 jobs.

On Wednesday, Mike Rollings, of receivers Ernst and Young, said: "We are continuing to look at potential buyers for the other businesses and remain hopeful."