15330/01GAZETTE & HERALD: Thirteen employees at Chippenham firm Quantum CCTV lost their jobs following the shock closure of the business recently.

The workers were called in to a meeting by boss Duncan Bradbury, who told them the company was closing down. He immediately ushered his staff from the building while a locksmith changed the locks.

With wages still unpaid the 13 sacked workers are appalled they were treated so coldly and don't know what the future holds for them.

Telesales manageress Mary Handrick said: "He told us there was no money left, that he'd lost his house, he couldn't pay our wages, and then asked us to leave the building.

"He didn't say he was sorry and did not say he'd try and pay our wages. I've had no money since December 23 and he owes me £900.

Quantum CCTV opened in Chippenham in July 2004. The company sold and installed CCTV systems, mainly for businesses, shops and schools. The registered office is in Semley, near Shaftesbury, where Mr Bradbury lives.

The company's national sales

director Ken Locke claimed Mr

Bradbury had left around £150,000 in debts including over £60,000 he owes to Mr Locke personally in

unpaid wages and because Mr Locke invested his own money in stock.

Now Mr Locke is trying to pick up the pieces and restart the company.

Mr Bradbury said he was forced to close the company because promises of business had failed to materialise.

He said he was losing his house and had taken no salary for six months.

"Of course I am sorry for what happened to the staff," he said.

"These people have been trying but they know as well as I do that we have not been getting the sales we needed."