A WELL-known Lancashire car sales and repair business has gone into receivership.

Debts at Barton Motors (Chorley) Ltd are estimated at £750,000.

Receivers from KPMG Corporate Recovery have been appointed to try and save the business as a going concern, preserving 13 jobs.

Two employees have been made redundant and another has left.

Established 20 years ago, the company had a turnover of nearly £5 million in 1996.

It lost its Vauxhall franchise in December that year and since then has been selling nearly-new and used cars.

Joint Receiver Peter Terry said: "There has already been interest shown in the business and any other interested parties for all or part of the business should contact me urgently."

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