WORKERS at Gaskell Carpet Tiles have been warned to expect some redundancies in the wake of its sale to Low & Bonar.

But Gaskell plc finance director Richard Hopkin said any job losses among the 200 staff being transferred would be "minimal".

He said the carpet tiles division -- with its headquarters at Clayton-le-Moors and a production plant at Bamber Bridge -- was a strong, viable business.

And although the prospective new owners have already announced plans to cut overheads, Mr Hopkin ruled out major redundancies.

"Where there is some duplication of function, there may be some job losses, but I do not expect to see any significant impact on the workforce," he said.

The £17 million deal to sell its carpet tiles division represents an eleventh-hour bid to clear its mounting debts.

It is also planning to sell property interests in Kidderminster for a further £3.1 million. Mr Hopkin said the money would be used to clear the company's debts and to provide working capital and investment for Gaskell Carpets and Gaskell Textiles which together employ around 400 people in Rishton and Clayton-le-Moors.

Shareholders will be asked to approve the sale at an extraordinary general meeting on February 14 at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton-le-Moors.

They have been warned that unless they back the deal, the company may have to be put into liquidation.

"We have been under pressure to reduce and eliminate bank debt," said Mr Hopkin.

"We believe this sale is the best solution.

"We see this as a major priority for the group -- outside of this opportunity there is no certainty about the future."

Mr Hopkin added that the company already had the support of 25 per cent of its shareholders and was confident of reaching its target of more than 50 per cent.