Murco employees, many of whom will face redundancy before Christmas, have been dealt another blow.

Workers learnt last Thursday that they will not receive a £50 Christmas voucher, which many use towards presents and groceries. The children's' Christmas party and family day out have also been cancelled.

These Christmas perks have been provided by the company for a number of years.

A reader who wished to remain anonymous contacted the Western Telegraph on Friday, saying that the news was a "kick in the teeth" for refinery staff.

"Those men have worked their socks off to get the refinery ready for the sale," she said. "They have worked more hours than they have been paid to get the refinery in tip top condition for the sale. It's not their fault the sale has fallen through.

"There is uproar on site, the morale is terrible. It's something they have worked all year for. These men and women don't deserve that.

"£50 a person is nothing to Murco. Nobody thought they would have done that. Staff are losing their jobs, it adds insult to injury to lose the Christmas bonus as well. It's a disgrace."

A spokesman for Murphy Oil, Murco's parent company, confirmed that the company was not going ahead with the usual Christmas perks but was concentrating on providing the best redundancy package possible.

"The company continues to ensure its employees are supported through the redundancy process," he said.

"We are guaranteeing a redundancy payment of a minimum 30 weeks pay, payment in lieu of notice and offering comprehensive outplacement support for careers advice. Getting these offers right for employees is our key priority."