More than 50 jobs have been saved after engineering firm Aiken Group was bought out of administration by Ross County FC chairman Roy MacGregor's company.

Global Energy Group, of which MacGregor is chairman, stepped in to rescue the Aberdeen company which had called in administrators KPMG on Thursday. Six out of 61 jobs have been lost.

Aiken Group, which also has an office in Azerbaijan, specialises in providing accommodation and catering modules for workers with much of its work coming from oil and gas operators worldwide.

The company blamed a build up of debts after demand decreased during the downturn in oil and gas. A "significant investment in a sizeable module just prior to the recent oil and gas downturn" had resulted in a longer financial burden than expected.

Blair Nimmo and Geoff Jacobs of KPMG were appointed as joint administrators after it was decided the best option for creditors would be a quick sale. A sale of the business and some assets to Global Energy Group, a Ross-shire based energy services contractor working in oil, gas and renewables, was completed immediately.

Nimmo said: “We are very pleased to have concluded the sale of the business and certain assets to Global Energy Group, as this will provide the best outcome for the company’s creditors and clients, while protecting 55 out of 61 jobs.  We also want to thank the Aiken directors and staff for their assistance during a challenging process. We wish Global Energy Group every success for the future.”

A spokesperson for Global Energy Group, said: “We are delighted to conclude the purchase of this business, which brings complementary skills to our existing business, and we look forward to working with the team to ensure we enjoy a long and successful future together.”