THE men at the helm of ill-fated Hamp-shire ship refitters MSC Europe when it collapsed with debts of £3.1m have bought back the company.

The deal for an undisclosed sum is likely to anger suppliers of the firm left facing an uncertain future, some with debts as high as £170,000.

John Wood and Chris Rogers say they have already taken on ten of the 28 staff of the Calmore business who were laid off without being paid for a month.

The pair sparked anger among former staff by driving supercars worth £200,000 in the days leading up to MSC's collapse.

Small suppliers across the region contacted the Daily Echo to say how they were struggling to cope with debts and may have to lay off staff after MSC fell victim to a cashflow problem.

Mr Wood and Mr Rogers said they had not been paid instalments on a £2.4m contract with a foreign shipyard.

Now they have bought back the company from administrators Smith & Williamson, who said it was the best offer they received.

Former staff are unhappy to see them back in business.

Debbie Mayes, former MSC sales manager, says she is owed £3,092. I was furious when I heard they had bought it back," she said.

"It's not fair. My children are going to go without this Christmas and why do my family have to suffer when we haven't done anything wrong?

"If they had the money to buy it back why couldn't they pay us our salaries?"

Another member of staff who did not want to be named, said: "I am going to be out of pocket £3,500-£4,000 in wages and expenses, which is something I can't afford.

"I am really, really angry and I am not the only one.

"For it to go under and then to have them coming back and starting again, you wonder how it can happen."

Former business development officer Colin Parkinson is owed £2,500. He said: "I find it baffling that two weeks after we've been made redundant they can buy back the company. It seems wrong. I think it's disgusting."

Workers who have their jobs back said they were looking to the future. Karen Harvey, human resources manager, said: "Contrary to all the negative stories that have been circulated this is a good company to work for and we are all looking forward to the future."

Colin Hawkins, CAD operator, said: "It's great to hear all the machines running and there is a real buzz about the place again."

Greg Palfrey, of Smith & Williamson's south coast office in Southampton, said the deal was good news for creditors: "This deal also secures a recovery into the administration through further deferred payments from contracts that the purchaser is able to secure from orders that MSC and AFS had won or were looking to win.

"Creditors therefore have an interest in seeing the success of the new business to enhance recoveries."

John Wood, managing director of MSC, said: "The re- employment of staff has commenced and currently we have ten people who are already working - it is nice to see people back behind their desks along with the factory producing furniture.

"We are still devastated at the events that have taken place over the past few weeks, fully sympathising with any of our suppliers who are going through difficult times as a result of our non payments.

"We appreciate that it will not be an easy task to return the business to full capacity.

"However, since the deal was signed late last week messages of support have been received from some of the world's leading shipping companies which has given us a real boost."