A Whitehaven scaffolding company has gone into liquidation, putting dozens of jobs at risk.

A Sellafield Ltd spokesman said a number of workers from Mirehouse-based Focus Scaffolding, had been made redundant from roles on site.

He said: “We are disappointed and saddened to hear that local business Focus Scaffolding Ltd has gone into liquidation.

“As a result we understand a number of workers employed on projects on the Sellafield site have been made redundant.

“We are currently assessing the implications and impact on the Sellafield site and on our portfolio of major construction projects.”

Carl Walmsley, who represents the Mirehouse East ward on Whitehaven Town Council, said: "It's a massive blow for Mirehouse.

"The majority of the work force are Mirehouse residents and the firm was one of the biggest and most successful things to ever come out of Mirehouse.

"I would like to say thanks to Carl and the rest of the Focus team for what they have done for the area over the many years, with employment and sponsorship funding.

I wish all the workforce all the best in finding adequate work as quickly as possible. It's a dark day for Mirehouse. I'm devastated for the lads and lasses who have lost their jobs.

"It's such a shame with all the good they have done over the years that nobody could bail them out in their hour of need."

Focus Scaffolding was founded in 1995 by Brian Scott and Carl O’Fee. It began trading in July 1995 at an office in Whitehaven with only a small number of employees.

The company began working on the Sellafield site in 1998, mainly as scaffold erectors then in 2009 branched out into other trades, including joinery, fire protection, painting and thermal insulation. The company has a number of clients at Sellafield.

It provides a service to various clients in and around Cumbria (including South Scotland, Lancashire and the North East), as well as on the Sellafield Site and is the only member of the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation in West Cumbria.

The company has been prominent in the local community, sponsoring a range of local sports teams, including Whitehaven RLFC.