Accountant Kirk Hills Insolvency took control of the Exeter-based crane firm at the beginning of the month and in a pre-pack deal has sold the hirer’s assets to South West Crane Hire 2010 Ltd.

The new company refused to comment on the details of the deal although it is understood to be running from the previous crane hirer’s six trading depots spread from Plymouth to Bristol.

South West Crane Hire Ltd operated the largest and most up to date fleet of cranes in the South West, operating 37 mobile cranes ranging from 8t up to 200t capacity, as well as three lorry loaders.

The administrators will be sending out details of debts to creditors shortly.