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Administrators have been appointed at a south of Scotland firm specialising in the construction of armoured vehicles.

A note on the Penman Engineering website confirmed Armstrong Watson had been appointed on Wednesday.

It said the business would continue to trade while the search was carried out for a buyer.

The company, which has been in operation since 1859, employs about 140 staff at Heathhall on the outskirts of Dumfries.

Mark Ranson of Armstrong Watson said: "We are currently focused on enabling the business to continue to trade during the administration process, in order that we can seek a sale of the business in order to preserve the maximum number of jobs.

"We have already identified a considerable number of prospective purchasers and will be speaking to them over the next few days to determine their interest.

"We understand that many employees will be concerned about their future employment, and will be providing confidential briefings to them as regularly as we are able to during the administration process."

He said all employees would receive relevant information about their employment rights in the current "difficult circumstances" and could speak with an employment rights specialist if necessary.

"The directors of Penman had strived to avoid the necessity of the company going into administration, but the delay in arrival of a major contract provided too big a challenge to the business' cashflow," he said.

"All directors are currently retained to assist the administrators in the running of the business."