ELECTRONICS company Filtronic yesterday said its compound semiconductor business had secured some short-term orders, but stressed the division was still for sale.

In a statement to the stock market, Filtronic said the division, which has its headquarters in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, had received some one-off orders that would have a beneficial impact on trading.

But the group said that while trading within the compound semiconductor business was satisfactory, it was still looking for a buyer.

In the management statement, ahead of the group's annual meeting, it said: "The disposal projects... in which the company is engaged, have continued to make positive progress and remain active."

The company is also looking to sell its US business and one of its properties.

It added: "The company has received a number of one-off, short-term switch wafer orders at compound semiconductors, which will have a beneficial effect on trading over the coming months."

Earlier this summer, Filtronic shed 131 jobs at Newton Aycliffe - nearly one-third of its workforce of 319 - after its biggest customer cancelled a supply deal.

In July, it posted its annual results and reported that losses in its compound semiconductor business had widened from £5.1m last year to £29m for the year ending May 31.

Across the group, Filtronic reported a lift in turnover, from £63m to £73.5m, and a fall in operating losses, buoyed by improved performances in its Point to Point and UK Defence divisions.

Its Newton Aycliffe factory was originally to undergo a £45m upgrade to triple capacity.

The plan was scrapped earlier this year as a result of continuing volatility in the market for the mobile phone microchips and circuits it manufactures.