ADMINISTRATORS at PoleStar Foods' Okehampton Desserts factory are hopeful of a sale within days, and say this could mean 'significant numbers' of jobs could be rescued.

Joint administrators Phil Armstrong and Nick O'Reilly from insolvency specialists FRP Advisory were appointed last week to find a buyer for the factory site on North Road.

Mr Armstrong told the Wednesday): 'So far we have had about 20 expressions of interest in the site, and that number is climbing daily.

'We have heard from interested parties in the UK, Denmark and Holland, and are actively talking to all the potential buyers.

'Everyone we have spoken to has been very positive about the site.'

The administrators are asking for interested parties to submit offers by the end of this week, and are hopeful they will secure a sale next week.

Mr Armstrong said a sale would be positive news for the 232 made redundant last week.

'Obviously, whoever buys the factory will need a certain amount of staff to run the operation. Clearly, the most obvious choice would be the workforce who have been there for years and have the experience needed to run the factory efficiently.

'As to the number of jobs that could be saved, it is difficult to say, but I would say a significant number of staff would be required by any new firm.'

Area representative for the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, John Crick, said: 'This really is excellent news, and demonstrates what we have said all along: this is a viable business for the future.

'The workforce is fully supportive of the efforts being made by the administrators, and we now hope they can move quickly and get people back into work.

'The workforce is excellent and as much of an asset as the factory itself, if not more so. We hope any potential buyer can see the value this excellent workforce represents.'

Terry Cummings, Usdaw representative at the factory, said: 'Let us hope that things improve, that our factory is sold quickly and that we can return to employment. We are staying positive.'

Staff were at the factory on Monday to receive help applying for unpaid wages and redundancy payments from PoleStar.

Representatives from Okehampton Foodbank, the Citizens Advice Bureau, and the Jobcentre service also attended to provide advice and support.