COMPANIES and people caught up in the collapse of property firm Connaught have been told help is at hand.

Business specialists at Taunton Deane Council has urged anyone affected by the Exeter-based company going into administration to contact them.

Council leader Cllr John Williams said the authority’s economic development team would talk to Connaught to explore potential assistance for affected residents or firms that could be in the company’s supply chain.

The Deane has no current or planned business with the company.

But, as the firm has contracts with neighbouring Somerset districts, there are fears that some local people and businesses could be affected.

A council spokeswoman said: “We would urge them to contact the council’s economic specialists for advice.”

Connaught specialises in social housing and has contracts with a number of local authorities and registered social landlords, including housing associations – although none of the major RSLs working with the district council is directly affected by the company’s problems.

Trading in Connaught’s shares was suspended on Tuesday and the company went into administration last Wednesday.

Administrators KPMG have hived off a number of contracts to Connaught’s rival firm Mears, who have also pledged to take on some of the staff who have lost their jobs.