A MANCHESTER foundry immortalised by LS Lowry has changed hands in a move which safeguards nearly 200 jobs.

The old Mather & Platt's stainless steel foundry in Newton Heath has been bought by Westley Group from Weir Group.

It was captured in a typical street scene by the famous Salford artist, complete with its `matchstick men' workforce.

Westley Group is a £40m-turnover business with headquarters in Cradley Heath, West Midlands. It has four sites nationwide, employing more than 500 people.

Directors Rob and James Salisbury's grandfather Jim Musgrave served an apprenticeship at Mather & Platt's from 1932 - when he was just 14.

Westley is renaming the site Mather's Foundry. Rob Salisbury pledged to work with Mather's `highly skilled and dedicated' workforce and its existing management team to grow the business.

Meanwhile, 280 jobs have been saved after Lancashire-based K2 Conservatories Systems and Cestrum Conservatories, part of the Burnden Group, were bought back by bosses after they were placed in administration. On a bleaker note, DIY chain Focus is to cut 750 jobs across its stores, support centres and distribution sites. Focus said no store would close. Tweet