More than 70 jobs have been lost following the collapse of a Powys firm.

Benson Heating, Ludlow Road, Knighton, has entered administration following a downturn in business. All 73 members of staff are now out of work.

Andrew Pugh, Benson service manager, said the decision to enter administration had not been taken lightly.

He said: “There was a meeting held on Friday that the Benson Group was entering administration due to a downturn in economic activity.

“The process of administration is now under way and all members of staff within the group from top to bottom were told they were being made redundant on Friday.

“Nobody has retained their job, but we have already met with major customers in the hope something can be done to change the situation as soon as possible.”

One worker at Benson, who declined to be named, said he was shocked when he first heard the staff announcement.

He said: “Benson’s went on Friday, causing 73 people to lose their jobs in a town which is traditionally one with few jobs around.

“It is a major blow to the town as it is a major employer here.

“We hope something can be done as soon as possible to get something positive out of it as soon as possible.”

Benson is a supplier of warm air heating products, specialising in providing environmentally-friendly machines for the heating of industrial, commercial, retail, horticultural and social buildings.

Councillor Roger Bright, town mayor, said the collapse of Benson was a “terrible blow” to the town.

He said: “I have been told 73 jobs have gone from the factory instantly – what a terrible blow it is.

“There is little employment opportunity in the town as it is – folk have to go way out of town for jobs – so to lose 73 in the town is a really serious situation.

“I am praying something can be done to save the factory and get these workers their jobs back, but in these financial times I really don’t know where help is going to come from.

“I really feel for those who have lost their jobs and hope we as a town can really rally round and do what we can in the hope a company comes in to save them.”

By Andrew Morris