PARFITT'S Bakery & Confectioners, whose shops have been a presence in the town since the 1970s, is insolvent and is going into liquidation with the loss of 63 staff.

This morning tearful staff were given the bad news by Huddersfield liquidator Tony Denham of DL Partnership who said for many of them they were aware the company was going through tough times.

All eight shops - Moldgreen, Holmfirth, Honley, Almondbury, Slaithwaite, Newsome and Brighouse and Newsome will be shut from today as well as as the separate Bake House also at Newsome.

Mr Denham said: "We had a meeting with the directors on Friday and staff were told first thing this morning. It was not a shock from the reactions we had though there were a lot of tears.

"The company has been going since 1970 and everyone is cut up really.

"The staff knew that people were just not going in as much anymore and people who are going through were spending a bit less.

"The company is insolvent which is why we have had to take this course of action. There will be a creditors meeting on February 25 probably at our office."

The full scale of the company's debts will be revealed in due course.