SEVENTY jobs have been scrapped at a transport firm as it entered administration.

Bosses at Harris Transport, based at Parham Drive, Eastleigh, made the staff redundant on Friday last week, and only kept an additional 15 employees on its books as its operation closes.

The company, which had offices in Southampton before moving to Eastleigh, has hit financial troubles and confirmed that it had ceased trading.

A spokesperson for Harris Transport said it was currently in the process of contacting and arranging for customers to collect their goods.

Harris Transport is a family run business which provides bespoke transport, distribution and warehouse services to businesses and has operated for 20-years.

Alexander Kinninmonth and Richard Brewer of RSM Restructuring LLP have now been appointed join administrators of the firm.

Mr Kinninmonth said: "Unfortunately, it was not possible to sell the business as a going concern. As a result, the company was left with little choice but to cease trading and make staff redundant.

"We are assisting affected staff to make their claims to the Redundancy Payments Office and working with customers to allow them to collect goods.

"Fifteen staff have been retained in the short term as we wind down the warehouse operation and seek to realise assets for the benefit of creditors."

The firm was run by Colin and Pauline Harris, who set up Harris Transport in 1991.

They started out with three trucks and grew the business, which operated more than 100 vehicles and offered its services throughout Europe.

Cabinet lead for the economy Cllr Derek Pretty said the council was "disappointed" to hear about the closure and "the devastating effect it can have on their employees."

He added: "However, we do have a thriving business community in the borough and the council will be ready to work with Harris Transport and offer any help and advice it can to help their employees find another job or re-train."