STAFF at a roadside restaurant were given an unhappy New Year s present when they were told they were losing their jobs. The 24 staff at The Little Chef on the A1 at Sandy was given the news on Wednesday afternoon last week. The restaurant closed its door

STAFF at a roadside restaurant were given an unhappy New Year's present when they were told they were losing their jobs.

The 24 staff at The Little Chef on the A1 at Sandy was given the news on Wednesday afternoon last week.

The restaurant closed its doors for the last time the following day.

Staff refused to talk about the decision to shut the restaurant 24 hours after the Little Chef chain called in administrators.

"I am sorry but we have been told not to talk to the media," said a woman who answered the phone at the restaurant. "We can't say anything. You can understand how people feel."

It is not known how many of the Sandy staff will be offered alternative jobs at other Little Chef restaurants in the area.

For the past few weeks the company, which employs 4,000 people nationwide, has been seeking a financial lifeline.

But with loses of £3m a year and with little sign of recovery, administrators PricewaterhouseCoopers were called in to wind up the business.

It managed to sell 196 of the 235 restaurants to private equity group RCapital.

But the package did not include the Sandy site. The restaurant at Astwick, though, has been saved. The Burger King adjacent to the Sandy Little Chef is also not affected.

"Regrettably, the Sandy Little Chef is one of the restaurants that have been closed with immediate effect, following the recent administration announcement," said a spokesman for Little Chef.

"The decision to close the restaurant is in no way a reflection on the excellent and loyal service the team and manager have provided at the restaurant over the years.

"I would also like to take the opportunity to thank our loyal customers for their valued support throughout, and hope that they continue to visit our other restaurants.