It is the second round of redundancies in three months at Beauvale Furnishings Limited in Ilkeston, which makes furnishings for caravans.

In December 120 people were laid off at the firm.

The administrators Pricewaterhouse Coopers say the redundancies are essential immediately to save the remaining 300 jobs.

Particularly brutal

Chris Needham from the GMB union said it has been badly handled: "They have been particularly brutal with the workforce calling them to a meeting and announcing 150 redundancies.

He said it was unfair to tell people at the meeting that they no longer had jobs- and this was to keep 300 colleagues who were not at the meeting in work.

"Another particularly nasty part about this was the fact that none of these people will be paid any monies owed to them by the administrator."