FIFTEEN Cleveland Bridge technical workers have lost their jobs on the Wembley Stadium project, the company announced last night.

White-collar employees of the Darlington company had been facing an uncertain future since bosses announced it would not be finishing the development and was laying off the 265-strong workforce.

Workforce agency Fast Track later stepped in to save the jobs of 220 construction workers, but the future of the others was in doubt.

The uncertainty ended last night when Cleveland Bridge confirmed that 30 of the 45 staff would be staying - the rest are looking for alternative employment.

The announcement followed talks between the company and Hollandia, the Dutch company that has taken over steel erection at the Wembley site.

Cleveland Bridge said the agreement was part of an orderly hand-over and showed the spirit of co-operation between the companies.

A spokeswoman said: "It is disappointing that not all of the positions could be saved, but these 30 people will stay to bring great experience to the project."

Union bosses said they would help any workers who approached them.

Earlier this month, The Northern Echo revealed that Fast Track had agreed to employ the construction workers on the same terms and conditions as before.

The deal was struck after negotiations between Fast Track, Cleveland Bridge, Hollandia and the stadium's main contractor, Multiplex.

Cleveland Bridge won the £60m contract to build the arch at the £757m stadium, which was lifted into place last month. It sits at an angle of 112 degrees, is 134m high, and was lit up for the first time after England's victory over Croatia in Euro 2004.