Workers at a south Wales furniture factory which was destroyed by fire at the weekend have been assured that their jobs are safe.

One hundred employees met management at Universal Furniture in Aberdare, Cynon Valley, amid fears about the company's prospects.

More than 40 firefighters tackled the blaze

There was a round of applause at the meeting, when Managing Director Mark Symes assured the workers that they would still have work and that they would be continue to paid.

"I think we have been able to allay all the fears of our people," he told BBC Radio Wales.

"A lot of people have gone out with big smiles on their faces."

Mr Symes said the company was urgently looking for new premises to re-start production.

Universal Furniture lost �2.5m of stock destined for the January sales in the blaze on Sunday and the firm's insurers are currently considering the claims.

Mr Symes hopes that administrative staff will be found somewhere to work from Friday.

"It may take four to six week to find somewhere for warehousing and distribution," he said.

The company aims to be fully operational by 1 February and managers say they are seeking premises close to Aberdare.

The Welsh Development Agency is meeting company directors next week to assist them in finding premises.

Universal Furniture has been a major employer in Aberdare for more than 20 years, and makes furniture for major retailers including Allders and Harveys.

On Thursday, South Wales Police said their investigation into the cause of the fire was continuing and they could not say whether it was started deliberately or not.

More than 40 firefighters tackled the huge fire at the factory warehouse on the Robertstown Industrial Estate, which started at 1730 GMT on Sunday.

During the fire, police advised people in nearby Aberdare, Tredegar and Merthyr Tydfil to remain in their homes and to close their windows as a precaution.