Staff at MG Rover have yet to hear an official announcement on the fate of the company.

Amid worldwide reports on the financial collapse of the firm after the apparent failure of talks on a deal with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp, 6,000 Longbridge workers are still waiting for news from their bosses.

One MG Rover employee said: "There has been no official internal communications to say we are in administration. As I understand it we are not in administration yet, but it looks like when not if. A key date for us is next Friday when we are due to get paid.

"While we could hope for the best, in reality feel this is the end. We have all swapped personal home telephone numbers in case our internal communications stop working. We don't know if the mobile phone supplier and other utilities will pull the plug."

AM-online has received a copy of an internal memo to staff. It reads: "The board of MG Rover has asked PricewaterhouseCoopers to accept engagement to advise the board of directors on the current position of the company.

"The management is committed to work closely with the trade unions, the Department of Trade and Industry and the many West Midlands agencies who can provide support.

This is a deeply worrying time for everyone and our thoughts are with them and their families. We thank everyone for their loyalty and commitment at this very trying time."