THE boss of a Worcester firm has defended it from criticism after stressing jobs were only ever temporary in the run up to Halloween.

The Worcester News reported on October 30 Fancy Dress Worldwide employed 70 staff and it had been supported by a £3,000 city council grant to expand its base at Shrub Hill Industrial Estate.

However, firm owner Dom Portman has clarified many of these were temporary positions.

He spoke after a former employee contacted the Worcester News to say many of the jobs, which included packing to cope with increased orders, were temporary.

The source, who wished to remain anonymous, said they were employed at the firm for four weeks and claimed they were promised a permanent job at the end of their temporary contract.

The source said: "At one point I worked Monday to Monday, without a day off. We worked really hard, some of us worked overtime.

"So I was surprised when I was told I wasn't being kept on."

But the firm's owner, Dom Portman, stressed no one was made any promises.

"I can categorically say that is false," Mr Portman said.

"There were only ever temporary jobs, no one was told work was guaranteed.

"We took on seasonal workers as it was a peak period.

"The jobs finished on October 31. They signed a temporary contract.

"I give everyone a chance here, we are a growing firm.

"No one lost their job."

Mr Portman added that the firm kept on some of the seasonal staff, and currently employs 27 people at the site.

The firm has thousands of customers in more than 30 countries, and turnover has increased rapidly in recent months, from £500,000 in Fancy Dress Worldwide's first year to a projected £2.8 million in its second.