A HOME furnishings giant has shut its Bolton factory with the loss of 100 jobs.

Wallpaper makers Arthur Sanderson and Sons told stunned workers the company was making a total of 120 redundant after it was forced to go into receivership.

Other jobs losses are at the firm's plants in Darwen and Denham in Buckinghamshire.

The company's Bolton plant based at Union Mill on Vernon Street, has been closed.

It is believed the firm, renowned for its classic wallpaper designs, has fallen victim to TV makeover shows with homeowners looking to more modern designs.

It made losses of £2million in 2000 and £200,000 the next year on worldwide sales of around £23 million a year. Receivers from Deloitte and Touche are looking to sell the company as a going concern to safeguard the remaining 180 jobs.

Neville Kahn and Nick Edwards, partners at Deloitte & Touche, are said to be confident of securing a deal.

Sanderson was established in 1860 and sells fabrics, wallpapers, prints, bed-linens, curtains and paints. It has been in the red for several years.

The company includes the Morris & Co brand, which presents original fabrics and wallpapers designed by William Morris.

Mr Kahn, administrative receiver, said: "Sanderson was in the final stages of a business turnaround but due to adverse trading conditions in the second quarter, combined with restructuring costs, the company exhausted its facilities.

"Sanderson continues to trade through its retail outlets and trade distribution channels while we seek to sell the business as a going concern.

"The sale represents a unique opportunity to acquire the internationally renowned designs and brand, and we are already aware of parties interested in purchasing the business."

Sanderson supplies over 2,000 trade customers and runs 90 retail outlets in the UK. It exports to over 60 countries world-wide, with sales offices in France and USA.

It also runs a major licensing business both in Japan, Australia. and Europe.

The company also owns an extensive archive of over 25,000 original textile and wallpaper documents including originals from many famous designers from Morris, and Voysey to Pugin.

Bolton North-east MP David Crausby said: "I'm always disappointed when jobs are lost and companies have to close factories. If there is anything my constituents feel I am able to do then I ask them to get in touch."