Bermuda's cement supply crisis deepened last night with confirmation Bermuda Cement Company will close its plant in four weeks' time and intends to start advertising its equipment for sale as of this Friday.

As things stand the cement firm intends to cease supplies of bulk cement on December 21 in order that it can dismantle and sell off its plant equipment and parts before its lease on the site expires at the end of the year.

Since the cement company was given notice two weeks ago that its time at the Dockyard site is up there has been no evidence that a new operator is lined up to take over the cement supply operation, which is vital to Bermuda's construction industry.

The likelihood of bulk supplies being interrupted and impacting the construction industry is growing day by day.

Construction industry leader Alex DeCouto has previously warned that up to 1,500 workers involved in major projects that rely on daily supplies of bulk cement will face job lay-offs within ten days of any disruption to supplies.

Last night the president of the Construction Association of Bermuda said major construction companies were seeking evidence that supplies will not be interrupted.

He said: "We are nervous. We have not heard anything yet but we remain poised and hope we hear something soon."

The crisis was sparked by the decision of Government quango the West End Development Corporation not to extend the lease of the land to the cement company at the end of the year after a breakdown in negotiations regarding moving the facility to a new site.

Two weeks ago Wedco told the cement company it must leave by the end of the year. There has since been no solid evidence that either Wedco or Government has a back-up plan to secure an uninterrupted cement supply for the Island.

Bermuda Cement Company was yesterday referring all enquires to its lawyer Alan Dunch.

Mr. Dunch said the company had been unable to negotiate an economically viable new lease from its perspective and had therefore been given notice by Wedco that its lease will end on December 31. As part of its lease agreement the company is entitled to dismantle and sell off its plant and equipment piecemeal, and that is what it intends to do unless Government or a new operator comes forward to either buy the equipment or the shares belonging to shareholders who wish to sell the operation as a going concern.

Mr Dunch said: "If no-one buys the plant equipment or the shares on offer the operation will cease by December 21. Bermuda Cement Company and Wedco had talks last week with the purpose of discussing how a transition from Bermuda Cement Company to a new operator would take place.

"But Wedco made it clear it was unaware of any plan for another party to operate the current plant."

A call to Wedco general manager Andrew Dais was not immediately returned yesterday.