UP to 63 jobs are under threat in Alston, after the town’s steelworks business went into administration.

Administrators were called in at Bondshold Ltd, the manufacturer of high-integrity steel and high-chrome iron castings, at three sites across the North of England.

The Alston factory, known as Bonds Precision Castings, employs 63 people and has operated in the town for 73 years.

Clare Boardman and Adrian Berry, restructuring partners at administrators Deloitte, were appointed on December 20.

Mrs Boardman said: “The group has experienced market challenges through its exposure to the steel sector and operational challenges following the integration of newly acquired businesses.

“The appointment comes at a time when the group, and the wider industry, enters its Christmas holiday shut down period.

“This allows the joint administrators to continue ongoing discussions with interested parties, with a view to finding a buyer for the business.

“The business is well-known and long established so we remain hopeful that a buyer can still be found for all or parts of it.

“The administrators would like to thank the group’s employees for their ongoing support at this difficult time.”

The business employs 219 people across three sites at Alston, Crook in County Durham, and Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire.