70 jobs to go in firm takeover.

A MIDLAND automotive firm with sites in Cradley, in the Black Country, and Woodgate Valley, Birmingham, will halve its workforce following its takeover.

About 70 jobs are due to be lost at Lander Carlisle after it was bought by Accrington based AAT for an undisclosed sum.

Lander, which makes plastic interior and exterior components for customers which include Land Rover, employs 150 people at the two sites.

But the firm has suffered declining sales as well as being affected by the end of MG Rover production at Longbridge.

AAT said it planned to consolidate the operations on one site and rename the company AAT Midlands.

AAT Midlands and AAT will have a combined turnover of more than pounds 15 million primarily servicing car or car parts companies and companies supplying directly to car firms.

Managing director Tony Cox said the two businesses were complimentary with AAT also producing interior and exterior plastic trims for customers including Jaguar and Land Rover.