Job cuts see bosses back to working on site

Former housebuilding bosses are being forced back to work as bricklayers as the downturn in the sector shows no signs of stopping.

McCarthy & Stone was the latest firm to cut jobs this week with 200 more redundancies.

And recruitment specialists said former housing staff are desperate to find work in other sectors.

But those unable to find a post with rival firms are looking at picking-up their trowels again.

Jim Newson, director of recruitment specialist Ellis Fairbank said: "Allied construction sectors such as refurb or social housing have been a likely new home for middle or senior managers who have been made redundant from housebuilders.

"We have even seen a few middle managers making a return to working on the tools as they have no alternative."