HOOKWAYS, the coach operator which originated in Meeth more than 80 years ago, has gone into administration.

The company specialises in private coach hire, coach trips, tours, executive hire, day trips and excursions, and is now based in Exeter.

Seventy jobs were lost, following the collapse of the business last Friday, as the firm lost its fight against rising fuel costs and the economic climate.

The business was started by Sidney James Hookway in 1929. He started a bicycle repair business in his shed in 1926, but quickly progressed to running taxis and coaches. The sum of £25 bought Sidney his first car in 1929, and propelled him into the business of carrying passengers. He drove a school bus and bought his first coach, an 18-seat 28-horsepower Reo, in 1936.

His first destination with his own coach was the Eggesford point-to-point race, and private hire for local church outings soon became regular business.

The firm continued to expand, and gradually acquired more coaches with the acquisition of Greenslades, W J O Jennings and Dorset Queen.

Hookways is expected to go into liquidation on August 23, with corporate rescue and rescue recovery specialists Begbies Traynor overseeing the process.