MEMORABILIA from one of Britain’s oldest shipping firms which went into liquidation earlier this summer is being sold in an attempt to pay back creditors.

Accountants Tait Walker are selling off assets of short sea bulk cargo ship operator Stephenson Clarke Shipping Ltd, including model ships, historic photographs and maps from the company, which can trace its origins to 1730.

Also available to buy is the company name, Stephenson Clarke Shipping Ltd, along with the rights to several domain names – scsbulk.com, stephensonclarkeshipping.com and stephensonclarkeship ping.co.uk The move comes after Gordon Goldie and Allan Kelly, of Tait Walker corporate recovery, were appointed joint liquidators of the shipping firm on August 3.

The company, which employed nine people, had tried to reduce costs by selling off its fleet during the past couple of years, culminating in the sale of the last remaining vessel in July, this year.

Mr Kelly said: “It is with great regret that the company has had to cease trading – the prolonged global economic downturn has seen the shipping market severely affected through excess market capacity and low freight income, which, together with the broader economic recession, left little alternative but to place SCS into liquidation.

“By selling off the remaining assets management hope it will not only serve as a way of paying back some of SCS’s creditors, but it will also help keep the company’s history alive for years to come.”

The deadline for receipt of offers is 5pm, on Friday.

Further details are available on 0191-285-0321.