NINETY jobs have been saved at an engineering firm which first traded as a blacksmiths in Bolton in 1873.

Booth Engineering, which manufactures blast doors, fire doors and radiation shielding, was facing administration.

But West Anglia-based Metalcraft stepped in acquire the Nelson Street firm for £1.8million, it has been confirmed.

The new owners have confirmed that the 90 Bolton workers will transfer over to Metalcraft, part of Avingtrans plc, as part of the deal.

Only the cash reserves and debts will not form part of the new arrangement for Booth, which formed part of the Redhall Group.

Metalcraft has a number of deals in place surrounding the recommissioning of the Sellafield site in Cumbria, which it is felt will benefit their new arrival.

Last year Booth posted revenues of £11.7m, in the year to the end of September 2018, with a pre-tax profit of £300,000. The deal allows for £2.5m worth of assets to come under Metalcraft’s ownership.

Their first fire doors were manufactured in 1905 and they branched out to providing equipment for offshore platforms in the 1970s.

Blast doors made in Bolton were used in the development of the nuclear submarine base at Coulport, in Argyll. in the early 60s.

Booth is expected to be installed within their new owners' process solutions and rotating equipment (PSRE) division.

Steve McQuillan, chief executive of their parent company Avingtrans, said: "This strategic acquisition allows our PSRE division to further expand its offerings and create synergies for its key clients.

"The acquisition of Booth adds to the foundations of the division and exemplifies our strategy to build shareholder value by bringing together niche businesses, fusing their individual capabilities and complementary activities to achieve critical mass.”

Austen Adams, managing director of the PSRE Division, added: "The nature of the Booth business is akin to existing businesses in the division.

"Some of Booth’s key customers overlap with those of Metalcraft and Peter Brotherhood, which affords PSRE the opportunity to expand its offerings to these accounts.

"We are confident about restoring Booth to clear leadership in its chosen market niche."