SEVENTY-FIVE workers at a Newport building firm were made redundant after the business went into insolvency.

Staff at Noel T James Ltd found its gates were locked and they could not return to the site yesterday afternoon.

Today, general manager Nigel Gregory told the Argus the firm was going into insolvency.

He said: "The insolvency process has started and all 75 staff have been made redundant. I'm upset. I've been in the business for 29 years and feel part of the family."

Noel T James, a building contractor in Kelvedon Street, was opened more than 70 years ago.

Allan Hathway, a painter and decorator who has worked for the firm for ten years, said he was disgusted with managers for not telling him what was happening as he heard the news from a colleague yesterday.

"Everything seemed fine when I went there this morning," said the 58-year-old, of Medway Road, Bettws, last night.

"After hearing what had happened I drove to the yard but the gates were locked. I saw a manager walking around and I was told I had to wait for a letter. I was also told to keep my van until I was told to return it.

"I'm gutted. They should have had the decency to tell the staff. I love my job and don't know what to do if I lose it."

Mr Hathaway says he is owed £300 for a week's work. He said there had been hints of a problem after managers admitted big changes were afoot. But he said there was plenty of business and yesterday morning he was working at the firm's accountant's house.

"It has come as a complete shock even though I knew something was going on," said Mr Hathaway, who is married to Sandra, 36, and has two children, Kelly-Anne, 11, and Alex, ten. "I live in private rented accommodation with my wife and two young kids so I need a job. At my age it might be difficult to find another employer." Newport city councillor Ron Jones said the news was "deeply concerning".

"If they are going down that road you would have thought staff would have had some kind of notification," he said.

The company act as contractors for building, joinery, civil engineering, maintenance, painting and plumbing projects.