A BUS firm has been stripped of its licence to operate services after an investigation led to 15 vehicles being deemed unfit for use.

Buses checked by vehicle inspectors at Accrington Buses - known locally as Pilkington's - had a catalogue of faults, ranging from loose wheel nuts to a faulty braking system and malfunctioning open-door warning lights.

The Argyle Street-based firm, which has been operating public transport since 1967, appeared at Hyndburn Magistrates Court, where North West Traffic Commissioner Beverley Bell held a public inquiry.

After hearing evidence the operator licence - run by Raymond Pilkington, wife Mary and son John Pilkington - was revoked, along with the operator licences held individually by Raymond's twin sons John and Alan.

The order will take effect from Friday, July 23 - a date chosen by Mrs Bell so that the company could see out its school service contracts.

It has 16 school contracts, and operates a further seven services around Accrington.

But despite a claim by Raymond Pilkington, who is wheelchair-bound, that revoking their licence 'would leave Accrington people without bus services running around the town', Mrs Bell said: "Rather no bus services at all than passengers travelling on unsafe ones."

Evidence presented by the vehicle inspectorate at the hearing revealed that an investigation last October resulted in 15 out of 18 buses checked being served with prohibition notices.

One bus had four out of its 10 wheel nuts on one wheel coming loose, while another had a faulty door-opening warning system.

That finding - along with the firm's 81per cent MOT failure rate for its vehicles - led to yesterday's hearing.

Mrs Bell described the running of the company as 'chaotic'.

She said: "I can only conclude that you are not aware of your responsibilities as an operator in the 21st century. I revoke your licences indefinitely."

They can appeal, but will only be successful if they can prove to Mrs Bell that they can be trusted to run a safe bus firm.

Both John and Alan Plikington admitted failing to report a criminal conviction to the Traffic Commissioner. Both had been convicted of assault. John Pilkington was banned from driving buses for 28 days.

Raymond Pilkington said outside court: "It's too early to say what we'll do. Thirty jobs are on the line. It's the people of Accrington I feel sorry for. What will they do?"

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council, which subsidises some of the services Accrington Buses runs in the town, said that alternative operators were being lined up.