DEVIZES was shocked to hear on Monday that the established electrical engineering firm Morelec had gone into liquidation with the loss of 25 jobs.

Staff knew nothing of the company's critical position until they turned up for work at the company's premises at Hopton Industrial Estate on Monday morning and were told they were without jobs.

It is a personal blow to Wyndham Mortimer, who set up the company more than 20 years ago. Neither he, nor his fellow directors, Alan Moore and Alan Honeysett, wanted to comment on the company's failure.

It is not yet known whether employees will be paid for their work this month.

Andy Trusler, proprietor of APT Electrics in Devizes, said all the tradesmen in the town were shocked at the news. He said: "The industry has been in a bit of a mess but we all thought it was on the way back. Morelec was one of those companies you thought would be around forever.

"I just can't believe this has happened."

Mr Trusler said he would do all he could to take on as many Morelec employees as possible.

Bruce Hopkins, managing director of Devizes Fine Kitchens, is a long-standing friend of Mr Mortimer and he also expressed his shock at the sudden collapse of Morelec.

He said: "Tradesmen don't stay out of work for long, because there is such a high demand for their skills. But this will hit Wyndham very hard.

He is a very conscientious man and as honest as the day is long.

"He is not one of those who go bankrupt one day and start up under a different name the next. This will knock him back and I only hope he can find the way forward from here."

On its website, Morelec described itself as a leading specialist in the design and manufacture of industrial and agricultural control systems.

It said: "The majority of our projects are one-offs, and we work closely with individual clients to understand their needs and then to provide comprehensive control solutions."

Morelec has worked with all aspects of industrial controls, including production lines, the food and print industries, theatre electronics, schools and colleges, motor speed control, mimic display panels, factory automation, pumping systems and so on.

The company was also active in the agricultural industry, especially in designing and building grain driers with specialist equipment controlling temperature and humidity, blockage detection, bin level monitoring and weighing systems.

Jo Edwards, president of Devizes Chamber of Commerce, said: "This is very sad news.

"Morelec was a well established, respected firm in the Devizes area and will be greatly missed.

"The thoughts of all members of the Chamber go out to all those who have lost their jobs and we hope they will be able to find work very soon."

Other major employers in the area, such as Gaiger Brothers and Renelec, did not want to comment, other than to say how sad they were at the news and they would do their utmost to help Mr Mortimer, his fellow directors and the staff through this very difficult period.