ABOUT 40 Redditch workers have been sacked and more than 100 customers could lose money following the sudden closure of a national windows and doors firm.

Coldseal, which had a depot in Moons Moat, has gone into liquidation and scores of Redditch customers who were having work carried out or had put down deposits stand to lose out.

A spokesman for Worcestershire Trading Standards confirmed all Coldseal offices were shut on Friday, October 29, and staff were made redundant.

He said: "Coldseal is no longer trading. No new contracts will be fulfilled and no remedial work under old contracts will be carried out.

"It is unlikely deposits will be refunded or compensation paid as we believe Coldseal has no assets."

Some customers with insurance would have consumer protection association insurance policies and advised those who had to look at the paperwork.

"If customers put deposits or whole jobs on credit cards or had a credit agreement, they need to contact the relevant credit company," the spokesman added.

Former Coldseal storeman and delivery driver Alistair Trevitt said as many as 40 customers in Redditch were having work done - with 100 more waiting for windows or doors.

He said: "There were about 40 staff here and everyone has been made redundant. Everything has gone."

Mr Trevitt said no-one had been paid for the last month and cheques some people received had bounced.

"We had a lot of customers and we always had work. There were about 20-30 jobs being carried out and 100 waiting to fitted in Redditch," he added.

No-one at Berg Caprow Lewis, the firm handling the insolvency, was available for comment.