Warranty business Satellite Direct UK employed the majority of its staff at its Ford Lane headquarters and an office in Wick Street, Wick but all were made redundant when administrators were called in.

The company, which sold insurance cover plans for Sky TV customers, was started in 2002 and expanded rapidly, opening offices in Bognor and Brighton, and employing more than 1,000 people at its peak in 2005.

Since then, however, the workforce has more than halved.

One saleswoman, who asked not to be named, said she had been left in an impossible situation by the collapse.

"I have two children, aged two and six, and I am expecting my third.

"I have lost my job and my future maternity pay. No one will want to take on someone who is pregnant, so I really don't know what I am going to do. I just feel cheated."

The 24-year-old, who asked not to be named, added: "I have worked ever since I left school, apart from maternity leave. And I would have gone back after having my third child. I was full time until my second boy, and have been part time since then.

"I do not want to be someone on income support, I enjoy making and having my own money and having that independence."

She added that she had had to take her youngest son out of nursery, something that she was not happy about.

"I feel really guilty. He enjoyed going and it was good for him, but I simply can't afford it.

"I am just relying on my partner to pay for everything now, and we can't go on like this."

She added that at least two of her co-workers were in the same situation, both expectant mothers, and that while "quite a few" of her colleagues had found similar jobs in Littlehampton, she felt her pregnancy would be a barrier.

A spokesman for appointed administrator MCR Insolvency said that Satellite Direct UK went into administration on June 17, and that the employees were made redundant on June 24.

"At the time of the administration, we are looking at around 500 people.

"The amount due to employees is at this stage uncertain. Employees will have claims in respect of redundancy, pay in lieu of notice and holiday pay."

He was unable to confirm the level of the company's debt.

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