EMPLOYMENT lawyers are battling to gain compensation for 25 former City Link employees, who were based at the town's Appleton depot, over the company's 'failure to properly consult'.

JMW Solicitors has lodged a claim on behalf of more than 241 people after the firm went into administration on Christmas Eve with the closure of 51 depots and the loss of over 2,500 jobs.

A total of 113 people were affected at the parcel delivery company's Appleton base, which has proved to be one of the highest uptakes for JMW, and those yet to make a claim have until Friday to put their case forward.

JMW has until Monday to look at any new cases, after which a group action will be made on behalf of all the former employees to get in touch.

Carl Moran, partner in employment law at JMW, said: “Time is running out now for any ex-City Link employees who haven’t yet joined the action to claim up to eight weeks additional pay even if they have already received redundancy or notice pay.

"JMW have confirmed that there is an additional award available to all redundant City Link employees even if they did not qualify for a redundancy payment.

"This award is in addition to any redundancy or notice payment they may already have received and should be up to a maximum of a further 8 weeks’ pay which should amount to several thousands of pounds.

"We are still getting ex-employees contacting us and we would encourage as many as possible to come forward before the deadline.”

The company has been unable to provide the amount payable for each individual to cover legal costs but former employee, Simon Jones, who worked at the Warrington branch for more than 10 years, admits the financial commitment has mad him unable to make a claim with JMW.

The 26-year-old added: "It is not for me as it is costing a lot of money and there is no guarantee that they will will win.

"But it is important that we get compensation as we got paid peanuts and in today's world it is not easy for us all to get jobs."

However, JMW insist a number of funding options, including no win, no fee, are being made available.

A spokesman confirmed the amount recovered will depend on how the case processes but it may be several months before the final hearing will take place.

Former employees can make a claim no matter how long they had been employed by City Link.

For further information call 0845 241 7976 or e-mail citylink@jmw.co.uk by Friday, March 20.