monday A COMPANY from Ramsbottom has been driven out of business after 60 years.

Family-run J & H Hinchcliffe, a haulage and storage firm, is winding down its transport operations, blaming increased competition at home and abroad.

Bosses said that high fuel prices have played a part in their decision.

J & H Hinchcliffe has submitted two planning applications to build a motel and homes on the land the firm occupies.

The company will continue to run its warehouse and storage business.

Five people are employed in the transport side of the business.

John Hinchcliffe, managing director of the firm based at Gollinrod, said: "There will be no redundancies as the workers are all family members.

"We have made our decision because the country is going into recession and the market is very competitive, with many firms offering prices which we cannot compete with.

"Our usual local suppliers have started using cheaper haulage firms. There is also competition from abroad.

"High fuel prices have been a problem but that is not the underlying problem. It is the old situation of competition."