ONE of Scotland's oldest confectionery brands has been rescued from administration after a Livingston-based confectionery and snack company stepped in to buy the ailing company.

Millar Pan Drops has been purchased by Nisha Enterprises Ltd for an undisclosed sum.

The deal will also secure the future of the firm's other well-known brands, including Millar Chocolate Eclairs and Millar Chocolate Limes.

Edinburgh-based John Millar & Sons traces its roots back as far as 1884 when John Millar started his Leith bakery business, subsequently expanding to sell sweets.

Family-owned Nisha Enterprises Ltd has been producing corn and potato snacks, confectionery, nuts and ethnic snacks at its Livingston factory since 1989.

The company already has a number of leading brands in its portfolio including Nisha's, Golden Cross and Johnny's Onion Rings, which are available throughout the UK and Europe.

Nisha's managing director, Sunny Pahuja, said: "We were very sad to hear when New McCowan's went into receivership in October, but it was a great opportunity for us to bring one of Scotland's leading confectionery brands into our portfolio.

"We are looking forward both to continuing to supply existing customers, and to expanding the market for the brand through our wide customer network."

The brands were acquired by Nisha from the administrators of Highland Toffee maker McCowan's.