THE steel fabricator thrown off the Wembley stadium project yesterday revealed it was struggling to find new work.

Cleveland Bridge UK, based in Darlington, is still involved in a legal battle with Australian company Multiplex, which removed it from the £750m Wembley development.

The Darlington site has a full order book until June, but has failed to win any major contracts in the UK beyond that.

Brian Rogan, managing director, said: "The work we are chasing at the moment is predominantly in the UK.

"We have not been successful with major projects, but have won a couple of smaller contracts and are still chasing others.

"It is a very tough market."

A spokeswoman said the company was seeking projects around the world in an attempt to keep workers busy.

About 35 redundancies due to be made last year were postponed until this spring and are now expected to go ahead.

The Wembley dispute is due to be heard later this year at the Court of Technology and Construction, in London. Multiplex has already paid £5m after mediation.

Cleveland Bridge's owners last night announced a management reshuffle.

Roddy Grant is to relinquish his role as chief executive of the Cleveland Bridge Group and will take up a position as special advisor to the shareholders.

Mr Grant had the task of laying off 300 workers at the Darlington site.

Jon Dale becomes president of Cleveland Bridge, while maintaining his role as managing director of Whessoe Oil and Gas Limited.

He will be supported by Mr Rogan, and Paul Jackson, vice-president of Major Bridges and Dorman Long Engineering.

Saudi Arabian group Al Rushaid, which became the majority shareholder in the group in 2000, confirmed that the three companies would continue to trade independently.

It said there were no plans to combine any of the brands.

A spokeswoman said: "Roddy Grant has played a vital part in the restructuring and streamlining of the Cleveland Bridge business and now takes up a new role in the company.

"We now have three very viable companies and we remain committed to their growth and financial stability, as they move forward and expand their business portfolios."