Assurances from Wembley builders

Work on a new shopping centre will not be affected by a construction firm losing £20m on the Wembley Stadium project, a council has been told.

Wycombe District Council, Bucks, has awarded a £180m contract for the Eden complex to Stannifer, which is owned by Australian construction firm Multiplex.

Shares in the Wembley Stadium builder Multiplex plunged after it announced a predicted £20m loss on the contract.

The company says it has no plans to sell key assets in the UK.

Alan Peach from Stannifer said: "As far as we're concerned it's business as usual and there's no threat to the shopping centre development going ahead."

The firm's management has met Wycombe council officers to assure them work is proceeding.