Thousands of dockers 'worried sick' over job cuts

Thousands of workers at shipbuilder Cammell Laird have left work worried about their jobs after the firm called in receivers.

Cammell said it had made the move after suffering a series of problems that caused significant damage to its trading and financial position.

The Merseyside shipyard has tried to reassure staff - around 2,500 of which are in the UK - by saying it will provide whatever assistance they can to safeguard jobs.

Unions have described the move as a blow to British shipbuilding while workers, who have been on tenterhooks all day waiting for the announcement, said they were worried about their jobs.

Sunderland shipwright Gary Smith, 37, who is married with an 11-month-old baby, said: "This is very bad news. If that means they are going to shut, then that's it, but normally they will try to sell the company as a going concern. As a dad and a husband I feel very worried."

Welder Thomas Keegan, 57, said: "It is a great yard and we are all hoping for a rescue plan but it is fair to say the mood is pretty black."

Pipe fitter Keith Moss, 41, said: "You are looking at a very despondent workforce. I have seen this sort of thing before but you never get used to it. It is very sad that a major employer can be allowed to go bust when it causes such devastation to an area."

Plater Sandy Greer, 52, moved from the Port of Glasgow to work at Cammell Laird last June.

He said: "I am just pig sick. No-one knows what is going on but calling in the receivers is not a good sign.

"I moved here last year but I guess I will have to move on again and just try to go where the work is. Working in the steel industry, sadly, you get used to this.

"The lads are doing the best they can and carrying on working but the heart has gone out of the yard.

"I hope they can find a rescue package but quite honestly, after all that's gone on, I can't see this yard having a future. Definitely not."