DOZENS of passengers and schoolchildren were left stranded as a bus company ceased trading.

Yesterday Darwen Coach Services announced its closure just 24 hours after it had a second bus seized by police over a lack of insurance.

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Eight drivers were made redundant as a result of the sudden closure and 18 routes in Blackburn and Darwen were left without buses.

The borough council said it was informed at 7am and took 'emergency steps' to cover two of the company's school bus services, but six were only re-instated for the afternoon journey.

The company is the second small bus company in East Lancashire to go out of business this year after M & M Coaches of Accrington ceased trading in September.

Community leaders said they were concerned about future implications on passengers.

Speaking last night, Peter Graham, Darwen Coach Services transport manager, said: “The company ceased trading this morning.

"It was a very sudden decision to do with ‘in house’ problems at the company.

"It was connected with the seizure of vehicles having no insurance.

"Blackburn with Darwen Council managed to make arrangements for the majority of our school transport services.

"We employed eight drivers."

The firm, based in Provident Yard, Cotton Hall Street, Darwen, operated around a dozen buses, coaches and minibuses.

Sunnyhurst ward councillor Dave Smith said: "Dozens of passengers and schoolchildren were left stranded at bus stops.

"I am very concerned as they are the main operator in my ward and much of Darwen."

Blackburn with Darwen Council highways boss, Cllr Phil Riley, said the authority's priority would be maintaining statutory services in the interim.

He said: "We recognise the huge problems that Darwen Coach Services ceasing to operate is going to cause for bus passengers across the borough.

"Our priority is first to ensure that our statutory school services are maintained and all pupils on former Darwen Coach Services contracts are able to get to school.

“A temporary service has been arranged until Christmas and into the New Year following which the contracts will be re-tendered.

“We are also starting discussions with other operators in the borough to see if they are able to take on the other withdrawn bus routes.”

Former Darwen Coach Services operations boss, George Glover, who left the firm a year ago, said yesterday: "I was contacted by Peter Graham at about 7.15am to say the company has ceased trading.

"No buses were run by Darwen Coach Services at all.

"It is very sad for Peter, the drivers and the passengers.

"It is an extraordinary state of affairs that led to this decision.

"I have never heard of anything like it in 40 years in the business."

North Turton with Tockholes councillor Colin Rigby said: "This is very worrying.

"I am very concerned about the passengers and the future of bus routes across Blackburn and Darwen, especially rural ones.

"However, if it is to do with the recent insurance problem, I have little sympathy with the company."

Whitehall councillor David Foster said: "I am really concerned about this, especially for older people and those on rural routes."

Darwen Coach Services had its second vehicle seized by police on Wednesday after it was found to have no insurance.

A female passenger was left stranded after the number 38 Darwen to Belmont bus in Bolton Road, Lower Darwen was impounded.

Mr Graham said the lack of insurance was down to a clerical error and apologised for any inconvenience caused.

The company was facing an inspection by the Driving Vehicle Standards Agency with the possibility of having its operating licence revoked.

It comes just two months after a 66-year-old man was found to be driving a bus in Lower Darwen without a valid licence or insurance.