MORE than 200 North-East workers left in limbo when their workplace closed down had their worst fears confirmed last night.

Administrators at the troubled O'Donnell Brothers firm yesterday laid off 229 of its 267 staff - more than 85 per cent of the workforce.

The family-owned, civil engineering business, which has depots at Billingham, Stockton and Lemington, in Newcastle, went into administration on Monday.

Tom Ross, regional organiser with the GMB union, said: "It is tragic. They don't know where their next penny is going to come from."

It is understood that the bulk of the workforce had been employed on a maintenance contract for electricity supplier NEDL, and that the contract is no longer in place.

Mr Ross said: "That job will still have to be done by someone, so we are hopeful we can salvage something out of this."

NEDL last night refused to confirm or deny that it had terminated the O'Donnell Brothers' contract.

A spokesman said: "We do not comment on contractual matters between ourselves and other parties."

The company issued a statement which read: "NEDL have not had any communication with regards to O'Donnell Brothers' current situation.

"However, we are aware that they are not currently meeting our operational commitments."

The company said it had contingency plans in place and would work to make sure customers were not affected by the situation.

O'Donnell Brothers carries out utilities contracts and a range of civil engineering work, including installing town centre CCTV systems and street lighting.

Workers at both depots were instructed to take in all equipment and vehicles on Friday.

They were told in letters that this was for an audit and that the company was not in any difficulties.

But staff turned up for work on Monday to find the site gates locked.

Originally, it was thought that O'Donnells employed up to 500 people, with about 300 in Lemington and 200 at a depot on the Billingham Reach Industrial Estate.

Mr Marsh and his GMB counterpart on Teesside, Jackie Woodall, said they were still working to secure an accurate figure.

The pair are due to meet administrators again today.

The administrators, from the DTE group, based in Bury, Lancashire, were believed to be in court on Monday, petitioning for a winding up order.

Last night, a DTE spokeswoman would only say the administrators are expected to issue a statement today.

No one was available to comment at the O'Donnell Brothers' office in Newcastle.

Union officials said they were shocked by the abruptness of the decision.

Ms Woodall said: "We have got members up in Newcastle and we are looking into whether or not this is a matter of redundancy and a failure to consult on the part of the employer, in which case we will be looking to take a protective award against the company."