FAMILY firm Pochin's has collapsed putting 120 jobs at risk.

The property and construction specialist has summonsed key workers to its Middlewich HQ today as the company has gone into administration.

Administrators from Grant Thornton have been called in and has warned of redundancies.

Middlewich Cllr Mike Hunter said: "Pochin has been an integral part of the Middlewich economy for a great number of years.

"They plough money back into the town through the people they employ and the services they buy.

"This will send shockwaves through the town.

"My heart goes out to people when this situation arises. A lot of people have given their hearts and souls to that company over a long period of time and thought it would have given them security in life.

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"They employ really top quality people. I really do hope the people that suffer can get themselves back into work as soon as possible.

"I hope the adminstrators find some sort of buyer."

Sub contractors and staff have been turned away from sites in Chester, North Wales and Birkdale.

The company was founded in 1935 and has been involved in a number of high profile projects across the north west.

Sarah O'Toole and Jason Bell of Grant Thornton UK today have been appointed joint administrators to Pochin's Ltd, Pochin Construction Ltd and six other companies within the Pochin's Group.

Sarah O'Toole said: "While it is very early days, this may result in a number of redundancies and the companies ceasing to trade.

"The joint administrators will continue to review options to ensure the best possible outcome for creditors."

Grant Thornton said that despite 'a pipeline of profitable new work and opportunities' being secured in the last year, 'legacy issues from earlier contracts became too great a burden leading to difficult trading conditions'.