UNCERTAINTY surrounds the futures of 400 staff at the Amazon warehouse in Gourock after the online retail giant was served with an eviction order.

The company insists it is business as usual despite being handed a 'notice to quit' by the owners of the Faulds Park distribution centre in a row over the lease.

Amazon was taken to court by landlords M7 Real Estate and a judge has now granted an order requiring the firm to vacate the premises.

The company's lease, signed in August 2004, was up on August 1 this year.

The landlord served a notice to quit in February allowing six months for the firm to vacate the premises, which satisfies common law legislation of a minimum of 40 days.

Amazon argued that they were entitled to a year's warning under the terms of the lease.

Lord Ericht, of the Court of Session, has now ruled in favour of the landlord, who is seeking damages, and granted a decree ordering Amazon to leave.

A spokesperson for Amazon said: "It’s business as usual for our customers and associates, and we will be appealing the court's decision."

Around 400 people are permanently employed at the Gourock warehouse but Amazon regularly takes on around 1,000 seasonal workers at Christmas each year to deal with the festive influx of orders.

Staff are understood to be seriously concerned about the matter and say they are in the dark.

Gourock councillor, Chris McEleny, said: "Amazon is a major employer in the area so I have asked our relevant department in the council to liaise fully to understand what exactly the intention of the landlord is so that we can best safeguard the hundreds of jobs on the site."

Former provost, Ciano Rebecchi, is also demanding answers from the landlord and Amazon.

Mr Rebecchi said: "It's a shock and I'm concerned about what's going to happen to the workforce.

"What's the reason it's come to this? "It's very worrying, especially coming up to Christmas.

"Many of the staff have been there a long time."

The 300,000 sq ft Gourock distribution centre is the size of four football pitches and is a major hub for the sorting and delivery of customer orders.

A spokesperson for landlord M7 declined to comment.