A national contractor behind a multi-million pound revamp of council homes in the Black Country is to slash nearly 50 jobs, it was revealed today.

A total of 49 West Bromwich-based staff from construction firm Connaught are to be made redundant.

Workers from the company’s Worcester base are now being drafted in to complete contracts on behalf of Sandwell Homes, improving council homes in the borough.

Connaught is one of the construction partners working on the £425 million government programme aimed at bringing flats and houses through Sandwell up to national standards.

Connaught spokesman Gary Bolton said the nature of the work being carried out had now changed and “fewer operatives with a different skills base” were now needed.

He said staff had been drafted in from the Worcester area as they had the necessary skills to finish the work required and added: “It is with great regret that a number of staff have been made redundant.”

One worker, who has been based at the Kelvin Way offices for four years, said they were being paid four weeks wages in lieu of notice and £350 for each year they had been with the firm.