HOPES have risen that almost 1,100 jobs can be saved after it emerged that more potential buyers have come forward for three threatened factories.

The Northern Echo has been told that major companies have expressed an interest in buying frozen food manufacturer Hibernia Foods, which has factories in Stockton and Hartlepool.

There was shock when the firm went into receivership last weekend after incurring multi-million pound debts.

However, production has continued and workers at the plant in Brenda Road, Hartlepool, have been asked to work this weekend to meet orders.

Alan Milne, regional officer of the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union, said there were grounds for optimism.

"We are in touch with the administrators daily and have been told that there has been a lot of interest and some of the big boys are involved.

"Production is going full belt. That the workers at the Brenda Road site have agreed to work at such short notice shows how committed and flexible they are."

Rayner Peetta, spokesman for administrators KPMG, said: "We can confirm there has been more interest, but obviously have to stress that it is early days and there is still a lot of work to do."