A NUMBER of companies have expressed interest in ailing Dutch aerospace company Fokker and administrators will begin talks with serious candidates as soon as possible, a spokesman said yesterday.

"We have received quite a number of reactions from interested parties and what we, will do is try and sift out the most serious ones," said Fokker spokesman, Mr Leo Steijn.

But a speedy resolution is vital as a temporary cash infusion from the Dutch government is running out.

The outcome is also vital for Short Brothers in Belfast where 1,500 employees have been put on protective notice. Short's makes the wings for some Fokker planes.

"We will have discussions with these (interested) parties' as soon as possible, but they are not expected to start this week," Mr Steiin said.

A Government lifeline worth 365 million Dutch guilders (£140.3 million) last Friday won the company six weeks to find a backer after its parent company, Daimler Benz, severed its credit lines. Fokker, one of the oldest names in world aviation, then sought protection from its creditors.

Wary speculators drew little comfort from the prospect of an international rescuer for Fokker, pushing the volatile shares down 0.80 guilders, or 17 per cent, to 3.85 guilders.

Despite analysts' warnings that the shares are all but, worthless, they have trebled in value since trading resumed last Wednesday after they had plunged to a 1.75 guilder low. Analysts have ascribed the shares volatile swings over the past week to short covering and rampant speculation.

The pledge of a swift start to discussions with interested investors came just hours after Dutch Economic Affairs Minister, Mr Hans Wijers, said appeals to the European Commission for support for Fokker had been fruitless.

Analysts remained extremely sceptical a deal could be secured for the whole of the 76 year old group.

"The chances of a serious investor taking over the company as it stands now are very, small," said Mees Pierson analyst, Mr Richard Brakenhoff.

"The more likely scenario is for Fokker to go bust first, then for a new company to be set up and that company could be acquired," he said, referring to the plane making side, of the business. He added the profitable units would probably be sold separately.

Mr Brakenhoff said the most likely source of interest for Fokker would be from Chinese or South Korean companies looking to capitalise on the company's technology.

"I don't foresee any other candidates," he said.

South Korea's Samsung Aerospace Industries expressed interest in the company earlier in the week but later played down reports it was considering an outright purchase.

Despite repeated denials by Canadian aerospace conglomerate, Bombardier, some industry watchers continue to believe a bid from North America could also be on the cards.

Mr Steiin declined to comment on the number or origin of parties interested in bailing out Fokker, saying only they were "from all parts of the world".

"We are not giving any timetable for discussion other than that the period of suspension of payments lasts for about another five weeks everything possible will be done within this time," Mr Steiin said.