SACKED workers are being hindered in their search for new jobs by the lack of help from the team running their ailing firm, officials claimed last night.

JobCentre Plus, the GMB union and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) all confirmed they have had no assistance from administrators at O'Donnell Brothers.

The civil engineering firm went into administration on May 9. It is understood that 229 out of 267 workers at its depots in Teesside and Tyneside were made redundant shortly after.

JobCentre Plus immediately offered to send in a rapid response unit, to help find new positions or training for the employees.

But despite officials making repeated requests, administrators DTE Leonard Curtis did not respond.

DTE last night did not deny the allegations, but refused to put forward a representitive for interview.

It issued a faxed statement, which read: "The joint administrators continue to provide assistance to those employees made redundant at the outset of the administration."

DTE also confirmed it sold part of the O'Donnell Brothers business on Friday, to a firm it called Reeds Plant Limited, but would not give specific details.

A DWP spokeswoman said: "We have had to work with the unions in order to try and contact these workers, as we have had no help from the administrators."

Tom Ross, GMB senior organiser, said: "It is extremely disappointing that JobCentre Plus has had no co-operation from the administrators.

"The administrators have a duty to the company's creditors, but, unfortunately, they have no duty towards the sacked employees.

"They have been in there a fortnight now and I had thought they would have been able to tell me something."

A JobCentre Plus official, who asked not to be named, said: "We cannot do anything without the permission of the administrators.

"It is very frustrating. We have had to go on to the Internet to find out even basic details about the company."

The official said the Government agency was even struggling to find out where and when the jobs were shed.

The family-owned firm slipped into administration after it lost a maintenance contract with electricity supplier NEDL.

Staff turned up at its depots in Billingham, in Stockton, and Lemington, in Newcastle, on May 9, to find the gates locked. The workers had previously taken back all plant equipment and vehicles to the depots, but were told in letters that this was for an audit and that the firm was not in any difficulties.

Management also threatened to take legal action if any staff talked about the firm's financial problems.

JobCentre Plus last night issued a direct plea to the sacked workers to get in touch and access its rapid response support. This includes a package of training and support with Derwentside College, in Consett, County Durham.

Appointments for individual skills training analysis are available on June 8, 9 and 10.

For details, contact 0191-490 3202.