IT'S the end of an era for one of our best-known and long-established businesses.

Engine manufacturing MAN Energy Solutions, previously Paxman Diesels, has announced plans to shut their facility off Hythe Hill, in Colchester.

Eighty jobs have been put at risk, with bosses blaming the coronavirus crisis for their decision to close.

While clearly a major blow for the town, it is also a historic moment.

Work has been undertaken at the site for more than 150 years and inspired the name of new school Paxman Academy.

Read more >>> Paxman factory to shut after 150 years

In that time, ship engines have been exported all over the world and the firm has always been one of the major employers in Colchester.

These archive images show the engineering company through the decades.

At its peak, the Paxman works covered 23 acres and employed more than 2,000 people.

Paxman was founded by James Noah Paxman, Henry and Charles Davey as Davey, Paxman & Davey, Engineers in 1865.

The company manufactured steam engines, boilers, agricultural machinery and mill gearing.

By the early 1870s it was supplying machinery to the Kimberley diamond mines in South Africa.

Paxman was taken overtaken by German-based firm MAN in 2010.

Now, however, the end is nigh and last week's news will have a major impact in terms of jobs.

Discussions with union representatives and other employees are underway and the firm plan to concentrate their UK operations in Stockport.

Speaking in the Gazette, Colchester historian Andrew Phillips, who is writing a book on Paxman’s, described the news as "devastating".

“It is one of the oldest engineering firms in Britain,” he said.

“I know a lot of people who work there and they are going to be absolutely gutted.

“They can only make those engines in Colchester because it is where the skillset is. It is hugely upsetting news.

“I am trying to think of something locally to compare it to and I can’t.

“They make engines for very fast patrol boats.

“It is an absolutely massive decision.

“Everyone over a certain age knows it still as Paxman’s.

“It genuinely is an end of an era.”