Administrators are expected to be appointed at a Wigan family-run firm building funeral cars

Hindley Green-based Eagle Specialist Vehicles Ltd, which trades as Wilcox Limousines, has announced that it is due to cease trading and administrators will be appointed.

"Financial pressures” have been blamed, with just under 100 jobs affected.

Wilcox Limousines was established in 1948 by couple William and May Wilcox and grew to become one of the largest funeral vehicle dealerships in Europe.

The Wigan Post contacted the firm and was told it had “no comment to make at this time”.

But a post on its Facebook page said: “Due to the company ceasing trading and administrators expected to be appointed shortly, a limited number of Wilcox vehicles are available for immediate trade purchase.

“These vehicles are being released at significantly reduced trade pricing for quick completion prior to administration.”

The vehicles were listed for sale before 9am on Thursday, March 11, with the post saying any not sold by then “will fall under the control of the appointed administrators and any sales will need to be handled by them”.

In a comment on the post, Wilcox said: “It is a very sad moment for our family and for the many employees who have been part of the business over the years. Unfortunately the financial pressures facing the company became unsustainable despite significant efforts to restructure. Rising production costs, alongside structural changes in the funeral sector such as the growth of direct cremation, have made the market increasingly difficult.

“The business is now entering the administration process and the administrators will review all assets, vehicles, deposits and creditor claims through the formal process.”

Wilcox Limousines has a factory in Hindley Green, as well as a site in Northampton, and is run by the second and third generations of the Wilcox family.

It is a leading manufacturer of hearses and limousines in the UK and mainland Europe and exporter of new and used hearses and limousines worldwide.

Over the years, the firm has built vehicles for use by the British Royal Family, including the hearse used at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.