Shareholders back funding drive

JUST over half of Waterford Wedgwood shareholders have agreed to back the company’s latest fundraising drive.

The struggling crystal and luxury goods maker said yesterday that 54.3% of shareholders have taken up their rights, which will raise just over €60 million for the company.

The company’s chairman Tony O’Reilly and Peter Goulandris, the company’s largest shareholders, are taking up their full rights and will control more than 50% of the shares post the rights issue.