A LUDGERSHALL coach company that has been running for 45 years has shut down after one of its drivers was convicted for filming up schoolgirls' skirts.

Parnham Coaches closed on Monday, April 16. Managing director Ray Parnham said the company had decided to go into voluntary liquidation.

Last year, former driver Andrew Whatmough was jailed for 14 months and given a sexual harm prevention order after installing a hidden camera on his coach and filming schoolgirls.

Mr Parnham said it had left the business in an "untenable" position and led to Hampshire and Wiltshire county councils cancelling their contracts with the company.

He said: "Forty five years of serving Hampshire and Wiltshire county councils and we had three days notice - all your contracts are cancelled."

"I sacked him and then two years later the police came in with photographs. We weren't told anything for many years. It is only what we have learnt from Whatmough's prosecution," Mr Parnham added.

Mr Parnham said there were "many different reasons" for closing the business, which were also due to "age and ill health".

On closing down the company, he added: "It is very emotional. I have had drivers in tears. I've got drivers that have been here [a long time], the longest has been here 27 years.

"They are very skilled tour drivers. I've got others that have been here 20, 18 and 15 years. They have been here a lifetime.

"I have had lots of messages of sympathy."

Just before Christmas the coach company had to let 18 of its drivers go and it is now laying off about 20 more. But, Mr Parnham said some of the drivers had been found jobs.

"We have chosen to close the company down," he added.

"It is quite sad but we are at an age where we don't want to deal with the stress any more."

A spokesman for Hampshire County Council said: "Hampshire County Council may terminate a contract with immediate effect if the supplier commits a fundamental breach of any condition of contract. As part of the contract, Parnhams agreed to comply with obligations in relation to appropriate Personnel and Disclosure Barring Service requirements. Following non-compliance, the county council considered this to be a fundamental breach of contract by the supplier."