THE jobs of more than 100 plant operators at Hinkley Points C have been saved after a company stepped in to buy the machinery of a firm that folded.

South West construction machinery hire company Plantforce Rentals has agreed to acquire the assets and staff from Hawk Plant (UK) Limited associated with the Hinkley C project.

Plant hire giant Hawk Plant (UK) Limited has recently fallen into administration due to the group’s low cashflow.

A Plantforce spokesman said the problem had "possibly been impacted by a number of historical problematic contracts and a delay in the commencement of anticipated projects".

Plantforce has agreed to take over the affected 100-plus machines and associated workforce situated at the heart of one of Europe’s largest construction sites without affecting the smooth running of the project.

Plantforce, which already has 186 items of plant on the site and worked alongside Hawk for the last four years, will take on all site-based machinery, contracts and infrastructure, in turn securing the employment of more than 100 full time plant operators based in the South West.

Claire Trott, managing director of Plantforce Rentals, said: "This is a sad outcome for a company which has dominated the plant hire world for many years and a company we have very much respected.

"This is a strategic decision with our main priority being to secure the continued employment of the workforce on site and minimise the impact on the Hinkley Point C project.

"It has taken the last four days to secure the contract, works and staff.

"Plantforce’s fast reaction and ability to adapt has been key in making this deal happen but it could not have been done without the input of Peter Carney and Alastair Lomax from TLT and all the team members from EY & BGF who have worked tirelessly through the weekend and this week to achieve what is a good outcome for all parties."