A FAMILY-run van hire business is set to close down after almost 60 years.

Majestic Self Drive was set up by Graham and Adele Sinnott in 1960.

In 2007, Mr and Mrs Sinnott handed the company over to Rebecca and Warren Nicholls.

For the past 59 years, Majestic has offered a large range of vans for hire over a day, week or month's duration.

The St Helens Road-based company also offers vehicle repairs, MOT and servicing.

While that side of the business is set to continue, the van hire side will stop next month.

Stuart Lever, who runs fellow van hire business U-Drive admitted he was "surprised" by the news.

He said: "A customer rang up and told me Majestic would be closing down in November.

"I'm really surprised because they've been there for so long and we'll be one of, if not the only dedicated van hire firm left in Bolton now.

"It's a big deal because I think they have around 30 vehicles, but apparently they just want to focus on MOTs.

"It's good for us in a way because we always welcome new customers but it's also a problem because I'd find it difficult to absorb all of their business."

A spokesman for Majestic Self Drive confirmed that it would be stopping with van hire but declined to comment further.