Hopes were growing today that at least some of the 410 people thrown out of work by the collapse of Wrekin Construction could be given new jobs.

It follows reports that an as yet un-named civil engineering company based in Yorkshire has bought Wrekin’s Shifnal site.

The Yorkshire firm is understood to have exchanged contracts and has said there are plans to create jobs at Shifnal, although it has not indicated how many.

Wrekin Construction went into administration in March and administrators Ernst & Young have said the nature of its business meant it could not be saved as a going concern.

An online auction of vehicles has already realised sales of about £83,000 and the administrators have been in the process of selling the head office in Shifnal.

If the Yorkshire company does eventually take over the site, there is no guarantee it will re-employ Wrekin Construction people.

It has already indicated it would relocate staff to Shifnal from Yorkshire.

Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard, whose constituency includes Shifnal, said: “I hope that any buyer will re-employ as many former Wrekin Construction workers and suppliers as possible, which will help those who have lost their jobs and the local community.” .

“And I hope the administrators will ensure that as many suppliers as possible are paid for their products and services and that former employees are given their full pension entitlement.”

Adam Holden, a spokesman for Ernst & Young, today said he was unaware of any sale being completed.