BRISTOWS fudge factory has closed with the loss of 73 jobs, administrators have told the Courier.

Bristow's fudge making business in Crediton was part of the group, New McCowan's Limited, which has ceased trading.

Grant Thornton, administrator for the group, said a range of options was being considered.

Bristow's, which had previously been run by the same family for three generations, was one of Crediton's biggest employers.

It was founded in 1932 by Charles Bristow and closed in 2008, only to be sold and the reopened a few weeks later.

Administrative receivers, Bakers Tilly, revealed that Andrew Walsh had bought all of the company's assets on December 23, 2008.

The business interests of Mr Walsh include Millar McGowan, a confectionary manufacturing business based in Scotland and Thorneycroft, a confectionary importing and distribution business based at St Albans.

Production re-started at Crediton on January 11, 2009, after it had closed with the loss of 69 jobs. About half of the workforce was re-hired at that time.

The factory is based at a large site off Marsh Lane on the Lords Meadow Industrial Estate.

Tim Jones, chairman of Devon and Cornwall Business Council, commented: "It's a devastating loss for a small market town like Crediton.

"Devon has got tremendous strengths in the food and drinks industry, but this is a body blow for the county."

Grant Thornton said a total of 185 people had lost their jobs with the collapse of New McCowan's.

In the issue dated September 16 the Crediton Courier reported the serious concerns about jobs of those employed at Bristow's.

In the article, it was noted that staff had been called to attend a meeting.

Administrators were appointed in mid-September after the company was said to have experienced "cash flow difficulties".