A BUSINESS organisation has urged the lead contractor on the Wembley stadium project to reconsider its decision to sever ties with Cleveland Bridge.

The Darlington engineering company was due to work on the stadium until its completion in 2006, but Multiplex, the company controlling the construction project, decided to move the work to Dutch company Hollandia.

Initial reports suggested that Cleveland Bridge had withdrawn its commitment to the project, but last night a senior source close to the project said Multiplex "pulled the rug" out from under the Yarm Road company.

The North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) was last night perplexed by the news that Cleveland Bridge had lost the contract.

Rob McMullen, area manager for the Tees Valley, said: "We cannot understand why a company with the reputation, technical expertise and history of Cleveland Bridge can be treated in such a manner.

"No-one seems to know what is happening and why the lead contractor Multiplex has said it intends to sub-contract the remainder of the project elsewhere.

"Cleveland Bridge has done some outstanding and highly technical work on the project so far, including the construction of the landmark arch which was recently put in place.

"There doesn't appear to have been much, if any, dialogue from Multiplex and little warning for Cleveland Bridge that its contract was to be terminated.

"It was in the strongest position to complete the work and we hope that Multiplex will reconsider."