A family-run haulage firm that has been in business for 80 years has closed with the loss of more than 100 jobs.

Cartwright Bros (Haulage) Ltd, based in North Hykeham, was set up shortly before the end of World War Two to meet demand across the agricultural sector.

The firm, which has entered administration, said it had been hit by rising costs and the impact of the pandemic.

Kroll was appointed administrator on 20 June.

The firm has been run by cousins Jamie and John Cartwright for 30-plus years.

In a statement, Jamie Cartwright said: “It was with tremendous sadness that we had to close the doors at Cartwright last week. Running a haulage business over the past decade has come with huge challenges.”

He said the company had been hit by rising diesel prices, a difficult economy, along with “huge constraints” caused by the pandemic.

Mr Cartwright said the war in Ukraine had also had a major impact in terms of fuel prices and long waits for replacement parts for vehicles – sold at inflated prices.

“All of these challenges were underpinned by serious lorry driver shortages following Brexit,” he said.

John Cartwright added: “It has been a really sad time for us.

“We are so grateful to our wonderful staff whom we are supporting in the recruitment process going forward.

“Some of our people worked for Cartwright Bros for most of their lives and we count them as personal friends,” he added.

Kroll senior director Elizabeth Welch said the company had faced challenges like many in the sector.

“Despite attempts from the management team to rescue the business, the company has now been placed into administration.

“Unfortunately, the majority of the staff have been made redundant,” she said, adding that they would now look at “viable options for the business going forward”.

The company was set up by four brothers in 1944 with one lorry, increasing to more than 60 at its height.

In the 1950s the firm, which worked mainly in the agricultural sector, delivered sandbags along the east coast to protect the area from one of the worst storms in UK history.