A SHOPFITTING company employing 350 people has gone into administration.

The JDS Group, which manufactures joinery, metal and plastics, has its headquarters in Faringdon and other plants in the West Midlands and Norfolk.

The company has been in business since 1984 and was regarded as well-established so going into administration is a shock for the workforce.

"We haven't been treated well," said an employee, who preferred to be anonymous."

"Two weeks ago the company failed to pay wages to its entire staff and the staff were promised a bankers draft for the wages that week.

"But when the payment arrived it was in the form of standard company cheques.

"Last Friday, they announced that approximately half the workforce at the factories at Faringdon, Walsall and Watton and over half the staff at their warehouse and distribution depot on the Groundwell industrial estate would be instantly made redundant."

JDS has more than 270,000 sq ft of manufacturing facilities - the equivalent of three football pitches.

Last year it had a projected turnover of £30m.

A telephone number has been put on the website with a voicemail but it is not answering.

In November last year the company announced that it was recycling all waste acrylic as part of ongoing improvements to reduce the impact on the environment.

The company also worked with the community and managing director Nigel Jones was on a panel with local MP Ed Vaizey at Faringdon Community College which was designed to help pupils prepare for the world of business.

Yesterday Mr Jones was not at Faringdon and there was no response to press inquiries.