When staff at a long established Rayleigh radiator firm returned to work after their Christmas break, things were bleak.

All 14 were told they were going to lose their jobs as the company had gone bust. But as EMMA THOMAS found out, thanks to a mystery backer, the firm is now back on its feet.

On December 29, last year, staff at County Radiators on Rayleigh's Brook Road industrial estate arrived for work as normal after enjoying their Christmas break.

They could not believe their eyes when, a couple of hours later, representatives from County Radiators parent company Llanrad, arrived to strip the factory and told the workers they had to leave as it was folding.

The news came as a bolt out of the blue as staff had been given the impression the company, which specialised in manufacturing vehicle number plates and radiators, was doing very well.

Sheffield based Llanrad said at the time: "County Radiators has been suffering from the effects of increased competition, low turnover and low net revenues.

"Steps have been taken over a number of months to recover the position, but these attempts have not been successful and turnaround was not achieved.

"We have therefore taken the necessary actions to place County Radiators into liquidation."

Staff thought that was it and they would all be out on their ears. But all was not lost as County Radiators manager Jeanette Rose explained.

She said: "I was kept on by Llanrad for a month to go around and collect any money the company was owed.

"All that was left in the factory was my telephone and my chair. Llanrad had completely gutted the place.

"I went along to a creditors' meeting held in Colchester on January 26 and had to hand over my car and my mobile phone.

"But the next morning I got a call from our mystery backer who said if I could get the staff the back together and run the company he would help.

"He has set us up financially and said he would rather keep away from the day to day running of things as he does not know anything about our business."

Jeanette, who has worked at County Radiators for 13 years, said they have all dubbed the mystery Southend businessman, who does not want to be named, as their "angel sent from heaven".

Jeanette has managed to take on half of the staff made redundant and is hoping once business is back and booming, the others will return too.

She said: "Once our customers know we are back we are hoping to build up the business again. We are like a family here.

"All of us know each other really well as we have all worked together for such a long time. We are a team and offer our customers an excellent service."

Celebration time - for Jeanette Rose after a mystery backer helped County Rads get back on its feet again

Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

County Radiators was established 30 years ago by Thorpe Bay man Steve Thomas He sold the company to Llanrad four years ago.

County Radiators specialises in vehicle number plates and car and commercial radiators

It refurbished the radiator for the Rolls Royce Silver Ghost which is now in a car museum.

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