The news takes the total number of positions lost at the Welsh Road firm, which has suffered in the housing slump, to 99 this year.

Thwaites now employs 184 people and workers fear more redundancies.

The news follows the loss of 56 employees before the factory's shutdown on July 21. The latest cuts included ten welders and 33 other workers from departments including assembly.

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Welder Mick Carpenter said: "I have survived so far but I feel very sorry for the people who have gone and I hope they find work.

"The company is dealing with the situation well. It is not their fault as it is the same across all sectors to do with the housing market.

"Nobody is building or selling new houses at the moment."

The factory's remaining employees have had their hours reduced from four and a half days a week to four for the next three months.

Mr Carpenter added: "We are starting shorter weeks from September so we will be hit in the pocket as well but at least we still have a job."

The 52-year-old, who lives in Radford Semele, is worried his job may be next to go. He added: "We don't know what will happen as we have heard that JCB have also lost a lot of jobs.

"Many of the people working here have done welding all their lives and if there are no jobs going in welding outside or in other factories I don't know what they will do."

Since the Courier covered news of the first redundancies in June the 270-strong workforce has reduced by more than a third.

Speaking at the time of the first losses, managing director Alan Earles said: "There has been a down-turn in activity, particularly in the UK. It has had a significant impact - people are not purchasing equipment at the same rate as they were.

"After we put a lot of hard work in the market has gone overnight."

Mr Earles was on holiday when the Courier tried to contact him this week.