LORRY drivers from Kidderminster were among a group of nine truckers to be awarded a total of more than £30,000 after losing their jobs following the controversial transfer of a contract to another haulage firm.

The awards were approved at a Birmingham Employment Tribunal in a test case hearing.

Similar applications for compensation are now expected from six other drivers involved in the transfer.

The tribunal was told the drivers had been employed by Great Witley-based Quatermans Transport Ltd, owned by Alternative Logistics, of Glasgow.

The nine drivers, plus the other six, were engaged by Quartermans specifically for a contract with steelmaker John Tainton.

But last year the contract was terminated and transferred to haulier David Curnock Ltd, of Claines, Worcester.

A letter sent by Quartermans to each of the 15 drivers gave details and stated: "Your employment has now been transferred to the Curnock firm."

But nine of the drivers told the tribunal that the employment transfers never went ahead, and they lost their jobs instead.

They said they were seeking compensation for the loss of three weeks' wages, plus redundancy money and holiday pay.

Neither Quartermans nor Curnock were represented at the hearing.

The Transport and General Workers Union represented some of the drivers.

Tribunal chairman David Hare said the drivers were entitled to three weeks' wages, redundancy money and holiday pay and approved awards ranging from £928 to £13,000.

He said the awards should be paid by Quartermans but warned the drivers that they might have to seek help through the Department of Trade and Industry and the county court to get their money.

The highest award of £13,000 went to a driver who had been employed by Quartermans for 17 years.