It has been announced that essential building work at Lews Castle in Stornoway will stop following the collapse of a construction firm.

The news comes as Northern Ireland construction firm Patton Group announces it has gone into administration.

Patton had a £2m contract to carry out repairs at the castle, which is undergoing work to turn it into a hotel and cultural centre.

The work was being funded by Western Isles Council, Historic Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

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Patton now owes its local partner, Neil Mackay & Co, the main contractor on the project, around £360,000.

Mr Mackay has said the administration announcement has at least offered some certainty over the long-running concerns about the firm.

Half of the workforce involved in the work are now expecting to be made redundant, while some 20 staff are at risk of losing their jobs.

A meeting of sub-contractors and council representatives is due to be held tomorrow to discuss plans to continue with the project following the news.

Western Isles Council will be concentrating on completing the £2m repair work to make the castle wind and weather tight before it can proceed on to its £9m overhaul.

Patton is one of the consortium firms – which includes Farrans and H&J Martin – which undertook the £70m building of six new Western Isles schools.

(IT/GK)