Altrincham animation firm behind The Clangers reboot goes bust

Factory Transmedia, which made the Clangers reboot, has gone into liquidation

The animation firm behind the reboot of children's TV show The Clangers has gone into liquidation.

Factory Transmedia Ltd, based in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, has been put into a creditors' voluntary arrangement.

The firm has produced a range of animations for Disney, Milkshake, Nick Jr, CBBC and CBeebies.

Liquidators said "challenging" conditions in TV commissioning globally were a factor.

The firm was part of the team behind a £5m revamp of The Clangers produced for CBeebies in 2015.

The programme - created by Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin - originally aired in 1969.

The reboot featured actor, comedian, presenter and writer Michael Palin as the narrator.

'Challenging market conditions'

The 2015 reboot of The Clangers was narrated by Michael Palin

Conrad Pearson and Patrick Lannagan, from international audit, tax and advisory firm Mazars, were appointed as joint liquidators of Factory Transmedia Ltd on 2 April.

A spokesperson for Mazars said Factory Transmedia, which was incorporated in 2000, had built a reputation for production and creative excellence, employing hundreds of people.

It specialised in a diverse range of animation-led projects, including Scream Street and Strange Hill High.

The spokesperson added: "Unfortunately, over the last 12 months the number of projects being green-lit by broadcasters around the world has been severely cut as the global economy and audience behaviours have changed markedly.

"These challenging market conditions were a significant factor in the insolvency of the business."

JPS Chartered Surveyors has been instructed to help sell off the company's assets via an online auction.

Among the items being sold at the auction are puppets used for the Newzoids satirical sketch show which ran on ITV in 2015 and 2016, as well as studio equipment.

BBC News has approached Factory Transmedia Ltd for comment.