SHOCKED workers have started losing their jobs at troubled car giant Seward.

Administrators yesterday closed the firm’s Blandford site – leaving around 20 people unemployed.

Staff at the centre, which deals in sales and servicing of Vauxhall cars and vans, arrived at work yesterday morning to be told they no longer had jobs.

Administrators Smith and Williamson were appointed to deal with Seward Wessex, which operates the company’s Vauxhall and Chevrolet franchises, on Tuesday.

It has its main site at Branksome in Poole and sales and service centres in Christchurch.

One worker, who asked not to be named, said yesterday: “On Tuesday the administrators came in and we were told there was an investigation and we were left in limbo.

“We went in at 8am today and Smith and Williamson turned around and said they had decided to close the Blandford branch and we were all made redundant.

“We don’t know if we’re going to get any money. We’re all totally shocked, we didn’t see this coming. It wouldn’t surprise me if they started pinging off other branches as well.

They might keep Brank-some trading, but Grange Road at Christchurch is in a similar position to us, it wouldn’t surprise me if they did the same there.”

The employee said customers’ cars were still on site, some with half-finished work.

A spokesman for Smith and Williamson confirmed last night that Blandford had been closed.

Chairman and founder of Seward, John Saunders, yesterday said that the firm would continue to support AFC Bournemouth, with whom it signed a six-figure, three-year, deal last year, including stadium naming rights.

Seward Wessex deals with Vauxhall and Chevrolet, while Seward Dorset, which is not in administration, trades in Hyundai.

It is believed staff have been told not to speak to the press, but, speaking to AFC Bournemouth’s website, Mr Saunders said: “The whole operation is associated with AFC Bournemouth, but we will continue to support the club through Seward Hyundai.”

Seward motor group as a whole, which has sites in Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire and West Sussex, has around 400 staff.

President of Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Michael Regenhardt, said: “Seward is an established name throughout the conurbation and the wider area of Dorset and as such I am very hopeful that a buyer can be found sooner rather than later.”