A LIFTING equipment specialist with an operation in Egremont has gone into administration.

Lloyds British Testing, which has a site in Bridge End Industrial Estate, has called in insolvency specialists PwC.

The company, which dates from 1812, is based in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham and employs about 200 staff across the UK.

It has a focus on the inspection, certification and repair of lifting equipment. Other divisions work on manufacturing lifting equipment, providing training services and the sale of spare parts.

A spokesman for PwC said: "The company has experienced falling revenues and cost pressures in the last financial year.

"We are continuing to trade the business as normal whilst discussions take place with interested parties around a sale."

Michael Denny, David Baxendale and Matthew Hammond have been appointed as joint administrators.