Workers have lost their jobs at a clinical waste firm which was stripped of NHS contracts after allowing body parts to pile up.

Healthcare Environmental Services Ltd (HES) called more than 100 Scots staff to its headquarters in Shotts, North Lanarkshire, on Thursday.

It also employed around 400 workers at depots around the UK.

They have been told the company has ceased trading.

The firm disposes of clinical waste from every hospital, GP surgery, dental practice and pharmacy in Scotland. Another firm has taken over that responsibility in the interim.

In a letter signed by HES managing director Garry Pettigrew, workers were told: "Further to recent events, I write to inform you that your position in the company will be made redundant with immediate effect.

"I apologise that there have been no previous consultations on this matter, however there are unforeseen circumstances that have proven to be outwith our control."

HES was due to lose its NHS Scotland contract in April and previously lost its 17 contracts with NHS trusts in England.

A criminal inquiry was launched into a build-up of waste at some of its depots.

The company claimed its reputation was destroyed by the UK Government, and said a shortage of incinerators rather than its actions was to blame for the problems.

The company claimed it had attempted to secure a long-term future.

Mr Pettigrew stated: "As a company, we have been exploring all avenues, both politically and commercially through enterprise schemes and sales of parts and the whole of the business to try to secure the future of the employees and the company.

"We have been given no assistance at any time, from the politicians or enterprise bodies in England or Scotland, we have been unable to resolve matters, and accordingly the company will cease trading on December 27, 2018.

"As a result, your employment will terminate by reason of redundancy."

The letter concluded with the company's regret over the job losses.

Mr Pettigrew added: "I would like to offer my sincere apology in this regard and to thank you for your hard work and contribution to the company during your employment, and wish you well for the future."

A spokesperson for NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) claimed the closure will not affect services.

They said: "National Services Scotland (NSS) carried out extensive preparatory work with NHS boards, contractors, Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Scottish Government to develop robust contingency plans to ensure NHS Scotland services to the public are maintained in the event of disruption to service.

"NSS procured storage, collection and treatment services for clinical waste and these contingency arrangements continue to be delivered to health boards across Scotland.

"The contingency plans include the provision of waste management services until the new national healthcare waste management contract commences on April 1, 2019."

Business Minister Jamie Hepburn said: "I am very concerned to learn that employees of Healthcare Environment Services have been told they are being made redundant and the impact this will have on them and their families.

"We have contacted the company previously on a number of occasions, most recently on Wednesday, when we offered to come on site this morning to provide support to employees through our initiative for responding to redundancy situations, Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE).

"We did not receive a response but have provided the company with information on PACE support. After previously not engaging with this offer of support we hope that the company will now do so to assist their employees.

"Through providing skills development and employability support, PACE aims to minimise the time individuals affected by redundancy are out of work."