A FAMILY building firm has been forced to close after its 31-year-old boss contracted leukaemia.

Managing director Martin Fenn has been forced to shut Oakwood Builders and Joinery in Benson while he undergoes treatment at the Churchill Hospital, Headington.

Fifteen jobs have been lost.

Mr Fenn, 31, took over the business three years ago from older brother Tim, who is now part of the P3 Eco consortium developing plans for the proposed Bicester eco town.

He said: “Martin started having nose bleeds and bruising and when he went to hospital for a check-up they kept him in and he was diagnosed with leukaemia.

“I have gone back into the business to try and tie up all the loose ends but it has been a nightmare.

“You don’t expect this sort of thing to happen to such a young lad.”

Oakwood was set up by the Fenn brothers’ father, Patrick, in 1963 and specialised in repairing churches and other ecclesiastical buildings.

In 1997, Tim Fenn took over and built up the business while developing an interest in green buildings. That led him to leave the business to his brother.

By the time he left, it employed more than 40 workers but the firm has shrunk after the recession hit the building trade.

Tim Fenn added that an offshoot Benson company, Oakwood Specialist Joiners, which employs seven staff, was continuing to trade and it was hoped Martin would be able to return to head it up.