Forty people have lost their jobs after a West Bromwich paper merchant went into administrative receivership.

Insolvency firm Grant Thornton has been appointed to take control of A1 Paper Ltd.

It followed the Roebuck Street-based firm struggling to get credit with suppliers.

The independent paper company provided paper for printers, local authorities  and the education and retail sectors across the UK.

The business had a turnover of almost £10 million for the year ending December 31, 2008.

However, a fall in demand caused by increasing reliance on email and global factors affecting the price and availability of paper was blamed for the collapse.

Jeremy Birch and David Bennett of Grant Thornton were named Joint Administrative Receivers on September 8.

They said they were left with no option but to make staff redundant.

A skeleton staff of five still employed at the site will also go once work there is complete. According to its website, A1 Paper Ltd was formed 40 years ago.