STAFF at a Bolton confectionery firm whose jobs were under threat have received sweet news after the business was bought out.

More than 50 workers at Maxilin, based in Sharples Vale, Astley Bridge, faced losing their jobs.

But the family-owned liquorice manufacturer, which was established in 1946, was bought from the administrator by Confections Ltd.

The company confirmed that all 58 jobs have been saved thanks to the acquisition.

The business, which has been family owned since its inception, sold brands including Magic Wands, Super Reds and Flyers.

A new subsidiary of Confections Ltd, called The Super Flyers Factory Limited (TSFF) was formed to complete the acquisition.

The managing director of Confections Ltd Mark Adcock said that the company intends to continue running the business from its current Bolton-based factory.

He said: “We are confident that TSFF can be successful in the future. It has a great brand with unique products and a strong customer base, now underpinned with the resources and capabilities of a broad based confectionery business operating from four UK based factories.

“The business has a good fit with sister companies Stockley’s Sweets Limited based in Blackburn and Chocley’s Limited based in Hull.”

Maxilin was founded by the late Kenneth Gregory and associates in 1946.

Its success was based mainly on its Flyers brand, soft liquorice sticks filled with fruit-flavoured sugar crystals which Mr Gregory created.

It strengthened its operations in 2003 with a £500,000 investment in a new factory and the acquisition of major confectionery company R Crawford.

Over the years, the company secured distribution deals in Europe with Nestle taking its Super Flyers liquorice to Norway and Iceland.

Maxilin also produced a salty liquorice, known as salmiak, for one of its biggest buyers in Denmark.

All 58 employees of Maxilin have transferred to TSFF under TUPE arrangements.