ISE International Furniture made pine tables and chairs at its factory in Bynea, near Llanelli.

The company had a shop at the plant as well as in Cardiff and Bridgend.

Cllr Huw John: "shocked"

The manufacturing unit in Bynea has been closed and remaining stock was sold through the retail outlets, which closed at the end of last week.

An auction will be held at the Bynea factory on Friday, 26 July, to find buyers for plant and equipment.

A spokesman for the liquidators, Grant Thornton, said: "Trading conditions are to blame for the closure.

"The company simply wasn't selling enough furniture.

"All remaining stock has been sold off."

The majority of the jobs lost will be in Bynea.

It is a further blow to the area following the loss of 270 jobs at the nearby CF Taylor aerospace company which has announced its closure.

Councillor Huw John, Carmarthenshire council's executive member for regeneration said: "I am shocked at the news.

Hopes

"Any job losses cause concern but particularly in Bynea where unemployment is higher than elsewhere in the county.

"There are employers who are interested in moving in to the area and hopefully there will be opportunities for employment elsewhere.

"It is so frustrating when something like this happens.

"It is like taking two steps forward and one step back."

Carmarthenshire council recently held a development day in Llanelli where almost 100 potential developers were hosted to explain the investment opportunities available in the Llanelli area.