A HAMPSHIRE business has shut without warning with the loss of more than 50 jobs.

Staff at FT Solutions say they are facing serious financial problems following the closure of the data-mailing centre, which is reported to have been making a profit.

The premises on the South Hants Industrial Estate at Calmore have shut following the sale of the company, which has sites across the UK.

Shocked employees say they were dismissed on the spot, with no redundancy cash, in a move that has left them struggling to pay their bills.

One man whose partner is among those affected said: "The administrators turned up at noon, got all the staff together and basically disposed of them.

"The place was shut down and 54 people found themselves out of a job without notice.

"Many of the workforce are long-serving employees who have been there for an average of ten-12 years - my partner has been there for 20 years.

"The reaction was bewilderment and anger. The business was a profitable part of the FT operation and yet they are out of work."

FT Solutions has been bought by London-based Paragon Customer Communications in a deal that excludes the Totton premises.

In a statement Paragon's chief executive, Jeremy Walters, pledged to retain all FT staff but referred only to the company's other three sites elsewhere in the country.

The Totton staff lost their jobs on January 17.

Karen Wytchard, one of the people who took to social media following the shutdown, said: "Such a shame for this to happen to a really great company."

Robert Bruis posted: "It's an absolute disgrace what they've done to to a very loyal workforce. You can imagine how devastated the staff are feeling. This was a profitable operation."

Steven Weeks added: "Print group gets bought out yet FT Solutions made redundant with no package."

Arthur Davis, a member of Totton and Eling Town Council, said he was shocked to learn that the company had closed with the loss of so many jobs.

"It's not good for Totton and the local economy - and it's not good for the employees and their families," said Cllr Davis.

Fellow councillor David Harrison said: "I can only hope those affected will be able to find alternative jobs quite quickly. The unemployment rate in this area is thankfully quite low."

Armstrong Watson has been appointed as administrator for FT Solutions. No-one from the accountancy firm was available for comment.