A DENTAL laboratory which went into administration has been bought by another firm - saving more than half of the 115 jobs under threat.

Workers at Acodent in Little Lever were told they were being made redundant on October 1 and to leave the premises in Stopes Road.

Leeds-based accountant Mazars was appointed administrator and began seeking a buyer for the laboratory – believed to be one of the largest in the UK.

Mazars have now announced that Acodent has been sold to national firm Swift Dental Laboratory for an undisclosed sum.

Manchester-based Swift is the UK’s largest privately-owned group and operates from six sites across the country.

It currently employs 170 people across the group and supplies a full range of crowns, bridges, implants, prosthetics and orthodontics to private and NHS dental practices.

Managing director of Swift, Roy McGillivray, said: “We acquired the company on October 8 and we are still evaluating the situation.

“We have taken back 56 of the original workforce and our hope is that number will grow to 70.

“We in the process of restructuring a new organisation, but we have already been impressed by the positivity among the staff. They have been fantastic and are continuing to show a great attitude.”

Robert Adamson, joint administrator alongside Tim Askam at Mazars, confirmed the purchase and said the company would continue to trade as Acodent.

“The purchase of Acodent is great news for the business, its customers and the local community. We have worked closely with former staff at Acodent to help them claim redundancy payments and we are pleased that Swift will shortly be announcing job vacancies at the company.”