The Regent Road roadworks scheme remains at a standstill for a FOURTH day.

On Thursday, the construction firm leading the project told creditors it is going into administration.

It is understood Dawnus, based in Swansea, has not yet formally appointed a professional advisory firm, but the process has started, WalesOnline reports .

It is understood the international division of Dawnus could stay outside the process, and that parts of the business could be sold, but that when the company is put into administration there will be significant and immediate redundancies.

It comes after sub-contractors at the Regent Road site dramatically downed tools on Tuesday morning and walked off site claiming they haven't been paid.

One boss, Tommy Halligan of Total Plant Hire Ltd which supplies machinery, claims to be owed around £300,000.

Another contractor supplying labour claimed he was owed a similar amount.

Manchester city council officials were caught completely off-guard and have been urgently seeking clarification on the position of Dawnus.

Meanwhile, it is understood calls have been made behind closed doors to come up with a 'Plan B' to get the Regent Road scheme finished.

Dawnus was said to employee around 700 people and was involved in similar projects around the country.