STAFF were left reeling after National Lottery operator Camelot announced plans to axe 45 of its 75-strong workforce in Aintree.

The Watford-based company said the proposed job cuts are linked to plans to trim its total workforce by 250 to cut costs.

Most of the job losses would hit the telesales department at Aintree, which also provides player correspondence, winner services and IT functions.

Camelot spokesman Ben Rosier insisted: “We are committed to retaining an operational base in the Liverpool area, but under these proposals up to 45 roles in Aintree are at risk of redundancy.”

Staff were told of the proposed cuts yesterday morning.

One worker, who asked not to be named, claimed that they were told to leave the site after the briefing.

She added: “We didn’t even get time to take our belongings.”

But Mr Rosier explained: “Some staff were offered the chance to go home and read through all the relevant material.

“We want them to consider this in the right environment and the right frame of mind.”

He added: “It was done with their interests at heart.”