Workers at a long-established Pembrokeshire-based construction company have not been paid for up to six weeks.

TPT Construction Ltd was bought by teenage tycoon Gareth Darbyshire last year. The 19-year-old paid for £7million for the business.

The firm is currently being chased by a string of trade creditors for unpaid bills. The company is also facing winding-up petitions, including one which was due to be heard at Bristol County Court last Thursday but was adjourned until June 10th.

Around 15 employees have now sought help from the Pembrokeshire Citizens Advice Bureau, where John Bradbury, the volunteer who specialises in employment law said the situation was creating great hardship for them.

“They are going into work day after day, knowing they are not going to be paid, but also knowing if they leave the job and sign on, they will not get a penny in redundancy pay,” he said.

“They feel very hurt and very worried about the treatment they are receiving.

“We have now entered an application for an employment tribunal in the hope it may put some pressure on the employer.”

TPT Construction Ltd traded successfully in Pembrokeshire for 35 years, and at the time of the sale was known as a strong, profitable and respected family-run company.

The former directors of TPT did not wish to comment on the situation. No reply could be obtained from TPT’s offices in Narberth.