An historic Black Country firm was today among the latest casualties of the credit crunch with 19 employees thrown out of work.

The 182-year-old printing firm in Bilston, John Price & Sons, has been taken into administration.

The blow follows yesterday’s news that around 220 Barratts and PriceLess shoe stores across the country are closing with the loss of 2,500 jobs.

Meanwhile around 40 jobs will be axed at Darlaston food delivery firm Woodward Foodservice, and the award-winning Walter Smith butchers in Cannock is also to close.

Administrators from corporate recovery firm Leonard Curtis are trying to find a buyer for John Price & Sons.

The firm is continuing to trade with 19 workers remaining at the site in the hope that it can be sold as a going concern.

Woodward Foodservice announced today that just a small number of its workers would remain at its base in Heath Road, Darlaston, and the site would cease to operate as a distribution depot within the next few weeks. The Walter Smith butchers in Market Hall Street, Cannock, closes its shutters for the last time tomorrow