THE founder of a Barrow coach company has spoken of his sadness after the firm he sold it to after he was forced to retire through ill health was banned from operating and branded "incompetent" at a public inquiry.

The traffic commissioner for the North West revoked Clarkson Coachways licence to operate after a string of health and safety failings and concerns about its financial stability.

The firm was set up 28 years ago by husband-and-wife team Neil and Susan Clarkson, who operated 10 coaches and employed a team of 10 people from their base at Brady's Yard in Walney Road.

In January 2016, following a bout of bad health, Mr Clarkson was forced to retire and sold up to New Inn Travel, with the Barrow company being run by transport manager Richard Hoban, who is a former director at Workington-based John Hoban Travel - also later bought by New Inn Travel.

In January 2017, previous directors had resigned and the firm was taken over by Midlands-based businessman Gary Priest, who the Evening Mail made several, failed attempts to contact.

Since then, what has been described by its founder as a "solid and profitable company" was gradually reduced to a shell of its former success and in April of this year staff were told they were out of work, with some owed unpaid wages.

On Friday, the traffic commissioner held a public inquiry to decide if the company's coach operators' licence should be revoked amid concerns about its "repute, financial standing and professional competence".

The commissioner heard evidence which made up a catalogue of failings including out-of-date safety inspection paperwork, inadequate defect reporting, routine vehicle safety checks not being carried out on time and a prohibition notice issued for a safety critical defect for a defective seat belt stalk.

A warning was issued to Richard Hoban, who was quizzed over his repute and professional competence.

Traffic commissioner Simon Evans said: "Richard Hoban is guilty of a lack of basic due diligence in being prepared to take on a directorship and holding the role of transport manager without a full understanding of those he would work for and alongside."

Speaking to The Mail after being informed of the commissioner's findings, the company's founder Mr Clarkson spoke of his sadness at hearing of the demise of the company he set up 28 years ago.

"I sold to New Inn Travel in January 2016, they promised to look after the staff," the 68-year-old said.

"The people who worked for me were brilliant. That is the sad part of this, the good people who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.

"It's so frustrating for me, it took 28 years to build up and now it's gone. It was a solid company, profitable, and it's so sad that this has happened."