Workers sad over last days at Telford Pink Skips site

The three, operations manager Jim Collins, former yard manager Patrick Reilly and mechanic Andy Bartlett, described the atmosphere at the Rock Road site as sombre and revealed their sadness at the company's demise.

They said they had hoped to spend many more years working for the company and had been left 'gutted' by the failure of attempts to rescue the firm.

Pink Skips yesterday opened a two day online auction in a bid to raise £500,000 from the sale of equipment and property.

The Ketley-based recycling firm was open for viewings of the auction lots yesterday and more than 60 people from across the UK visited to view the 268 items available.

The company went into receivership on February 19 and will formally close after the auction.

Mr Collins, a father-of-two from Albrighton, described the atmosphere on the site like a 'funeral'. He said: "It is a very sombre atmosphere here as we finalise selling up and closing up."

He said employees were given no notice of the closure of the company in February and were informed of their redundancy on the same day as the company's receivership was made public.

Just eight employees from a team of 60 were kept on while owners were in discussions with interested parties to try and save the business.

Mr Collins said: "We got significantly down the line with a potential buyer but a number of finer points couldn't be ironed out, leaving both sides frustrated.

"Staff were kept as fully informed as possible about the possibility of a buyer and we held regular briefings with the staff."

Mr Reilly, 35, a father of two from Little Dawley, began with the company five years ago as a machine driver.

He said: "When a potential buyer came in it really lifted our spirits but when it fell through we were all left gutted and we realised this is the end. I feel like I have had a promising career taken away from me.

"I hoped to have had many more years at the company. We are probably here until the end of the week but we are working on a day-to-day basis."

Andy Bartlett, 55, a grand father of seven who has worked for the company for 10 years, said: "It didn't really sink in when we were told but the last few weeks have been very sad. It has been very hard to watch the trucks leaving and people coming to take things away."

Jones Lang LaSalle Auctioneers are selling the remaining assets through the online auction which runs until tomorrow.

Most items are listed with no reserved price. Only a handful of privately leased items have undisclosed reserves while the remaining lots will be sold to the highest bidder. Interested buyers have until 1pm tomorrow to place their bids.

For a full list of lots visit www.joneslanglasalle.co.uk