Universal Engineering firm in Llantrisant cuts 50 jobs

The firm was hoping to expand into the aerospace and automotive industries

A south Wales engineering company has gone into administration with the loss of around 50 jobs.

Universal Engineering opened a new factory last year in Llantrisant, Rhondda Cynon Taff and also has a plant in Weymouth, Dorset.

The administrators said 75 workers at both plants would be kept on while they explore options to keep parts of the company going.

A downturn in the global oil and gas market has been blamed.

Workers were made redundant on Tuesday, after last week being warned 124 jobs were a risk - including 81 at Llantrisant.

The Welsh government called it "very disappointing news".

Bristol-based Milstead Langdon administrators said: "Discussions have been held with parties interested in acquiring parts of the business and a number of its customers have been hugely supportive in assisting the company in this challenging time".

Around 40 jobs remain in Weymouth and 35 in Llantrisant.

Ministers had given £600,000 as the first part of £2m support in March at Llantrisant, with hopes of expansion and another 200 jobs.

The Welsh government said it would work with the company to try to find a buyer for the site and "offer support to the employees to find new work".