STAFF at an award-winning Ammanford call centre have been rocked by the announcement that they face redundancy in the run-up to Christmas.

Workers at PHS Group on New Road were said to be baffled after being given the shock news of imminent job losses last week.

Earlier this year the firm scooped two awards at the Wales Contact Centre Awards, hosted by TV star Jonathan Ross, where an employee at Ammanford won Contact Centre Manager of the Year and the group’s IT team claimed the technology award.

One employee, who did not wish to be named, said the announcement had come “from nowhere” and has left many unsure of their future at the centre.

“With the firm winning awards and morale seeming very high this year, this news has come as a complete shock and a blow to many of us, especially in the run up to Christmas.

“We haven’t been told much, except that we have been given 30 days notice. We don’t know where to go from here.”

PHS Group, which sells hygiene products, was founded in 1963 and employs around 70 people at its Ammanford centre.

A company spokesman said: “We are reviewing our organisational structure to further improve our ability to meet the needs of our customers. We are currently discussing these proposed changes with our staff. “Where any proposed changes are implemented, our priority will be to support those colleagues affected.”

The firm refused to put a number on the jobs at risk.