Workers were left stranded offshore after a Norfolk engineering firm went into administration.

Specialised Management Services (SMS)-Alderley, a manufacturer for the oil and gas industry based in Gorleston, entered administration last month, leading to hundreds of job losses.

Now, former SMS-Alderley staff have revealed employees working on offshore rigs were told by the firm to arrange and pay for their own way back to the UK and claim the money back from the administrators.

Others, who were based in Norway, say they were thrown out of a hotel in the country as the company their rooms were booked through had not been paid by SMS-Alderley.

Eventually, following internal negotiations, the administrators agreed to fund the flights.

Staff found out they had lost their jobs on July 24, just two days before payday.

READ MORE: Norfolk firm collapses into administration - leading to hundreds of job losses

SMS-Alderley, based at Starling House, off Lancelot Road, at Gorleston's Beacon ParkSMS-Alderley, based at Starling House, off Lancelot Road, at Gorleston's Beacon Park (Image: Adam Barker)

"There was no thought from the business to help, especially the contractors, and initially they were told to pay for themselves to get home, which was disgusting," a former SMS-Alderley employee, who asked not to be named, said. 

"They were also kicked out of the hotel in Norway as the company we had booked it through had not been paid. It was such a shambles."

Formed in 1999, SMS manufactured equipment and provided maintenance and installation services for the energy sector, specialising in hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical control systems.

It was acquired by its parent company Alderley PLC, a Gloucestershire-based engineering firm, in 2003.

Both Alderley Plc and Alderley Systems have also entered administration. 

Joint administrators were called in on July 24Joint administrators were called in on July 24 (Image: Adam Barker)

READ MORE: Business facing closure after Norfolk firm goes into administration owing it £250,000

"The company payroll would have been two to three weeks before payday, so Alderley knew this wasn’t going to happen," the former employee added.

"But rather than tell the staff and give us time to sort out mortgages and bills they had us work."

Dozens of local businesses are owed thousands by the firm - including Lowestoft firm S&G Fabrications, which claims to be owed £250,000. 

Alderley was founded in 1989 and had bases in the UK, India, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and Qatar. 

Both SMS-Alderley and Alderley were contacted for comment.