Elev8 Solutions was hailed as providing a much-needed jobs boost to the area just 17 months ago.

In November 2001 company chairman Brian Leahy told the Guardian that it had started its initial recruitment drive for team leaders, call centre operatives and administration staff.

He said the aim was to create 260 jobs.

"A range of posts is immediately available and any individual joining the company will find that the environment here is undoubtedly one of the most stimulating and exciting available in the UK contact centre market," said Mr Leahy.

He said Elev8 would be recruiting from Carmarthenshire and South Wales.

In February last year Elev8 announced their first contract with West Wales water company Princess Gate.

The Guardian visited the call centre and managers were keen to promote a very upbeat message.

"We are ahead of the business plan as far as filling the call centre is concerned," one senior manager told the paper.

"We are confident that we will hit our first year target of employing 75 people."

But the jobs were not providing new employment for the area as many of the staff taken on were already commuting to similar jobs in Swansea.

April saw the official opening of the centre with Assembly First Minister Rhodri Morgan performing the honours.

At this stage there were 60 staff already at Elev8 and a further 30 were going to be recruited - well on target of hitting 75.

One of the main contracts that Elev8 hoped to secure was the new 118 Directory Inquiries service.

But it was a jewel in the crown that proved too elusive.

As the year wore on Elev8 sacked some staff and the number of people working at the call centre fell.

Disgruntled ex-workers approached Plaid Cymru AM Rhodri Glyn Thomas with claims that they had been sacked and that the number of people employed by the firm was less than they were claiming publicly.

And when ITV Digital closed its Pembrokeshire call centre last year some of the West Wales workers who lost their jobs came to Elev8.

One year on from its official launch there were 49 people employed by Elev8 - a third less than its target.

Last week Carmarthenshire Council said enough was enough and launched action to recover the money they are owed. This followed months of talks to find an alternative solution to save jobs.

This week the receivers were called in.

The Guardian has been aware of the problems facing the company for some months but Editor Steve Robbins held back from publishing details of the negotiations to avoid jeopardising them and the jobs of the remaining Elev8 staff.

What do you think? Email steve.robbins@gwent-wales.co.uk or write to Steve Robbins, Editor, South Wales Guardian, 37 Quay Street, Ammanford, SA18 3BS with your views.