A TOTAL of 12 jobs have been lost with the sudden closure of a printing firm in Tweedbank.

Meigle Colour Printers was founded in Galashiels in the 1970s.

And for more than 40 years it had supplied brochures, tickets and posters to companies, clubs and other organisations throughout the Borders.

But on Thursday staff were told the company could no longer continue due to financial pressures.

One member of staff told us: "We were given just 15 minutes from being told we no longer had jobs until we had to leave the building.

"We feel terribly let down with the way this has been handled."

Meigle Colour Printers was run by managing director Keith Johnston.

Mr Johnston and his wife, Karen, are also listed as the directors of the company.

Staff at Meigle Printers took an eight per cent pay cut back in 2009 when the company previously ran into trouble.

Although trading had remained difficult due to increased competition from overseas online companies, Meigle were still recruiting up until last month.

But last week administrators KPMG were drafted in amid growing constraints.

The staff member added: "Most of the people who have lost their jobs have been with the company for a long time.

"Since we took the pay cut eight years ago we've only had one pay rise, and that was just two per cent.

"We thought things were okay as a new Mac operator was taken on just a few weeks ago.

"There has been very little communication between the company and staff over the years so nobody ever really knew what was going on."

Scottish Borders Council is now working with employment agencies to offer the affected workforce support and information.

A local authority said: “We are working with Skills Development Scotland to provide assistance to the affected employees.”