THE future of one of Blackburn's oldest companies was in the balance today after receivers were called in.

Jobs at packaging company JS Duxbury, which has been in the town for more than 100 years and employs 30 people, are now under threat as a decision on the firm is made.

Owner of the packaging company, Nottingham-based Anil Puri, said it was "with regret" the receivers were called in.

He blamed the decision on the loss of two major customers, which he refused to name.

A spokesman added that strict regulations in the packaging business had forced the company out of certain markets.

JS Duxbury had contracts with Kentucky Fried Chicken and Fishermen's Friends.

Mr Puri, who bought the company in November 2001, said: "The business has been suffering for some time.

"Loss of major customers left a big hole in the company.

"It was with great sadness that the receivers were called in.

"The company has been going for many years and I had put a great deal of capital into the business to make it work.

"Strict regulations in the industry meant we were excluded from certain markets such as pharmaceutical and food.

"The decision about the future of the company and the employees is now in the hand of the receivers."

One employee at the Hart Street company said bosses had done all they could.

"We lost the Kentucky Fried Chicken contract back in February which was a massive blow. This news had been expected but it still came as a shock when we were told. There is no animosity towards the management but a lot of people are gutted." David Appleby, director of insolvency practitioners Begbies Traynor, in Preston, who have been called in, said: "It is too early to say what is going to happen."

JS Duxbury was a family owned business until 1953. It previously had a site at Atlas Paper Work, River Street, Blackburn which was closed in 1990.