WORKERS at outdoor equipment company Karrimor fear for their jobs after 20 staff were made redundant when the business was sold by receiver Begbies Traynor.

The company went into receivership last Friday but was sold almost instantly to London-based Lonsdale Sports, which bought the company as a going concern. It takes over its brand names, wholesale business, seven shops and intellectual property rights.

A Karrimor employee, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: "There is general concern for jobs and we don't really know what is going on, although we probably know as much as the management at the moment."

The redundant staff were shed from Karrimor's headquarters in Petre Road, Clayton-le-Moors, where 60 people had been employed.

When approached for a comment, operations manager Tony Perry declined to comment.

But Paul Stanley, Begbies Traynor partner, said the firm, which manufactures and supplies equipment to professional and amateur followers of outdoor pursuits, was highly sought-after because of its international reputation.

"There were three potential interested parties," he said.

"But when this offer was made, the lawyers worked through the night and the sale has been almost seamless. The business was sold for a few million pounds, which is a substantial seven figure sum, and about 190 jobs have been saved across the chain."

"Begbies Traynor had been working closely with the management at Karrimor to find a buyer for the wholesale and retail business of the company two weeks prior to our appointment."

He added: "We are delighted to have saved most of the business as a going concern. The brand is very strong, and there was keen interest in acquiring the business."

There are six more Karrimor outlets that comprise the deal, in Manchester, Cambridge, Brighton, Nottingham and two in London.