They were promised the "dark days" were over - but workers at Daewoo's Worthing plant are seething at yesterday's axing of 187 jobs.

Tearful workers were told not to bother turning up for work at the car research and design centre today.

But yesterday they spoke of their anger as they left the gates.

The plant has already shed almost 250 staff during the last two years. Four months ago workers went unpaid for a month because the company could not afford the wage bill.

After that, managing director Jim Mason promised "the dark days are over". Those words will have rung hollow for staff made redundant yesterday.

Mr Mason said: "Despite ongoing efforts to secure a sale of the design and engineering facility, a deal is not yet complete.

"We are so disappointed we are forced to say goodbye to so many loyal and committed members of our team. Despite the best efforts of the management, we are still some way from securing the sale and sadly, economic forces have prevailed."

The news was greeted with criticism and despair by workers leaving the complex for the last time.

Richard Stringer, 39, an engineer from Burgess Hill, has worked at the centre for six years.

He said: "I feel pretty fed up. It's a shock, seeing as they were so close to a takeover.

"A couple of weeks ago we had a feedback meeting and they were very positive about the possibility of a takeover.

"Hopefully I will be able to get some work as an engineer, but I don't really know what I'm going to do."

Jerry Stanley, 41, a design engineer from Chichester, has worked at the site for three-and-a-half years.

He said: "The fact we have been made redundant without any notice is shocking. No one thought it would turn out like this. The problem is they have made a lot of people redundant at the same time so it's going to be difficult to find similar work in the area."

Richard O'Brien, spokesman for the Manufacturing, Science and Finance Union, which has 250 members at the centre, said: "As soon as we heard, we spoke to the Department of Trade and Industry and we are hoping they will work with the Foreign Office to try to reach a solution.

"We are also talking with the potential buyer because if it goes through, then they are going to need the skills of the 800 workers and engineers."

Tim Preston, Worthing Council's head of economic development, said a package of measures would be put together to help workers find jobs elsewhere in the county.

We reported last month how Formula One racing team boss Tom Walkinshaw was thought to be close to buying the centre.

Mr Walkinshaw, boss of Oxfordshire-based TWR, has made several visits to the town.

It is understood he plans to team up with French motor giant Renault for future design projects. But Daewoo refused to confirm his interest.

East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton and West Worthing MP Peter Bottomley have written to Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers as a "matter of urgency" following the latest announcement.

Mr Loughton said: "This is very bad news. Things are on a bit of a knife-edge now and we must all focus our minds on finding a rescue buyer."

Daewoo's problems began in 1997 when Korea was hit by an economic slump.

The company, which had 750 workers, has shed almost 250 jobs during the last two years as part of cost-cutting measures. It went into receivership last November.