MORE than 140 people have lost their jobs after a Sandiacre computer games company went into administration.

Administrator Cameron Gunn said Free Radical Design originally had 185 employees and that about 40 staff now remained with company.

News of the job losses came as the owner of fashion chain USC, which has a store in Albion Street, Derby, also went into administration.

Mr Gunn, of Resolve Partners, said a number of publishers had shown interest in buying Free Radical Design

He said: "We are inviting all interested parties to come forward. Significant interest has already been shown and we are hoping to make further announcements by the middle of January."

Erewash MP Liz Blackman said news of the job losses was shocking.

She said: "I visited the company in the summer and was very impressed with the work they did there."

Mrs Blackman said she would be meeting the company's management as soon as possible.

Erewash borough councillor, Jennifer Hulls, who represents Sandiacre South, said the job losses had come at an unfortunate time.

She said: "It's a tragedy that these people have lost their jobs, especially at a time like this when they may find it difficult to get a new one."

It is understood the independent studio, in Bostock's Lane, had been working on a Star Wars game for LucasArts but the deal fell through in October after two years of development. Other games released by the company include Haze, Second Sight and the Timesplitters series.