WORKERS at Cosworth Technology have still not been informed the firm is up for sale - more than a week after it was revealed in a national newspaper.

The move, by German owners Audi, could put the brakes on more than 400 jobs at the company's two Worcester factories.

But employees there have revealed they are none the wiser as to what the future holds in store for them.

Around 250 workers at the Wainwright Road plant in Warndon were told in August that their jobs were at risk, but that some vacancies would be made available at the other site just yards away in Buckholt Drive, where 180 people work.

And while they have been told this is still the case, people are reluctant to apply for new positions because of news of the sale.

"Morale is just non-existent, people are not turning up for work, and when they do there is no motivation to do the job," said one worker, who wished to remain anonymous.

"It is now public knowledge that Cosworth is to be sold and yet no-one has confirmed or denied this to us.

Vacancies

"We believe the Wainwright Road factory will close by Christmas, but the way things are going, it will shut before then.

"There are vacancies available at the other plant, but people are reluctant to go for these as they know this is being sold off too."

It is thought Audi is to sell the engineering, manufacturing and casting units of Cosworth for a figure of around £50m.

The uncertainty echoes that of the workers in the Jaguar plant in Coventry, where more than 1,000 jobs are at stake.

But unlike Jaguar, people in Worcester do not have the backing of any trade unions.

Very few are members of a union after being told by Audi it was "frowned on."

The Transport & General Workers' Union, which is fighting for Jaguar employees, represents just one person at Cosworth's Warndon plants.

"Unfortunately we can only represent this one person as we have been told by workers Audi frown on unions" said a spokesman for the T&G.

"But the way the workers are being treated is disgraceful. The lads are being left to make up their own minds about what is happening.

"Audi is refusing to give any information, although the speculation is that one plant will close by Christmas."

A glimmer of hope has come in the form of the city's MP, Mike Foster.

He has promised to contact Jobcentre Plus, which now has a mobile service, to advise people on vacancies available in the area.

"The mobile service would go up to Cosworth and would be available to anyone who wanted help," he said.

"A possible 400 job losses would be a big blow to Worcester and I am determined to do all I can to help."

Cosworth Technology and Audi declined to comment.