Emotions ran high among staff as the sun set on British World Airlines for the last time.

Out of a job - air steward Lewis Lamb packs belongings in the boot of his car. Picture: CHRIS WEEKS 5ha3f1

Workers streamed from the doors bidding their final farewells after the company fell into receivership.

Colleagues tearfully hugged one another as they braved the winter air on Friday evening -- to face a bleak Christmas and the reality of an uncertain future.

Many people who walked from the wooden-slatted office block, based at Southend Airport, clutched boxes stacked with items cleared from their desks.

Fighting back the tears, they spoke of meeting up again and the possibility of a reunion in the near future.

Almost all workers were from the Southend area and have told of their concerns over having to move away to major airports to find work in an already insecure industry.

Staff told the Echo of their sense of sadness following the company's decision to go into receivership on Friday.

Lorraine Aherne, 43, a credit controller, spoke of a "family atmosphere" which always shone through at BWA.

She said: "It was like a family -- that's what it always felt like. I've worked at the company for eight years and it's become like a home for us.

"The staff were all friends. I'd do anything for them. If we had aircraft to fly, I'd still be there now, working away for no money."

Natasha Bloxham, 24, an accounts worker, heaped praise on managing director Chris Bakhurst's handling of the situation.

She said: "He worked day and night to try to stop this happening. And staff are 100 per cent behind him today.

"His final speech to us was extremely emotional -- and also very personal. He looked each one of us in the eye and told us how it was."

Clare Dunn, 29, who worked in BWA's sales department, said employees did not foresee the company's problems.

She said: "We've had bad times before during the five years I've been here, but we've always pulled through.

"But it was different this time. Chris Bakhurst's speech was so moving that we applauded -- but there was nothing left to say. We knew he'd fought to the death to save the company."

Faye Sharpe, 22, a sales administrator, told how staff were facing financial concerns after losing their jobs.

She said: "I've been trying to sort out if my mortgage is covered and many people are in the same position.

"I had only been at the company for five months but had already found it such an enjoyable job and got on well with the people I worked with. It's going to be a gloomy Christmas for everyone."

Andy Thurogood, 39, a department manager, admitted he found it hard to keep a "stiff upper lip" following Friday's announcement.

He said: "It's been so hard because they're all friends as well as colleagues. It's going to be strange not passing them in the corridor all the time at work.

"But we're already talking about having a reunion in a month's time."

Lewis Lamb, 27, had a different perspective on work at BWA -- as an air steward. He said: "It has been a fantastic job and it would be so difficult to go to what I would call a normal job from this, but there may be no other choice.

"I've already been making phone calls and there are only two or three airlines recruiting -- and it would almost certainly mean moving away from Southend."

A spokesman for the Transport and General Workers' union said: "The local impact on Southend and Essex will be very serious. Once again, this situation shows how fragile the airline industry is at the moment.

"It reinforces the union's calls for a more robust approach by this Government."

Published Monday December 17, 2001