Sacked car workers today spoke of their dismay after 113 jobs were axed at car giants Daewoo.

More than 750 workers at the specialist car centre in Worthing were called to a meeting yesterday and handed letters.

For some it was the good news that their jobs were safe but for 113 it was their redundancy notices.

Technical centre staff were warned in May that the Korean company had hit a severe cash crisis and to be prepared for job losses.

Pay-off packages were offered to staff yesterday as well as counselling and careers advice.

Workers were called into meetings individually to talk with managers to decide whether they wanted to leave immediately or stay until the end of the month.

The job cuts announcement came despite Ford being confirmed as the sole bidder for Daewoo. Talks are still taking place between the two car firms.

Apprentice technician, Rob Harris, 20, from Henfield, said: "We were all called in and given letters. There was a list of names for all those who had appointments later in the day, so everyone knew who were the ones who had been sacked.

"Daewoo covered themselves by calling us all in a few weeks ago and saying all our jobs were at risk.

"There has been a lot of bad decisions. I have worked here for four years. It's terrible really."

Matt Legg, 23, of Graham Road, Worthing, said: "I am pretty annoyed with the decision but what can I do now? Some of their decisions didn't make a lot of sense.

"I have been here for five years and have had a lot of training but they have let me go and kept on people who have had just a few months training."

A worker, who kept his job but asked not to be named, said: "There is a terrible atmosphere around the place. It is really sad to see our colleagues go. It has been a very bad day."

Another said: "Some of the people who have lost their jobs are not only colleagues, they are friends.Those who have kept their jobs don't really know what to say to those who have lost theirs."

Jim Mason, managing director of the Worthing centre, said: "We are very sad it is necessary for us to take these measures.

"These are staff who have been tremendously loyal and hard working. This is not simply a percentage reduction across the workforce.

"We've had to make difficult decisions in terms of our structure in order to preserve key skills."