UP to 200 customers who pre-booked holidays and tours with collapsed coach operator Hellyers will not lose out on their trips.

The news comes as administrators revealed that they were close to a deal to sell off the assets of the Fareham-based company.

Local rival Lucketts Travel said that it was in talks and an announcement was due today.

It was last night confirmed that under a travel protection scheme called Bonded Coach Holidays, Hellyers customers could take their pre-booked trips with Lucketts, book an alternative or get a refund.

Administrators Rogers Evans of Southampton were called in on Friday as 62 Hellyers staff were made redundant.

Some had worked at the family-owned company for more than 20 years.

Administrator Terry Evans said he hoped that the assets of the company, largely its repair depot and some coaches not tied up in finance deals, would be sold off after receiving an offer. However, the sale will not bring any hopes of redundancy payments for former staff, who say that they were kept in the dark about Hellyers' financial troubles.

Hellyers was founded in 1966 by former Fareham Town Football Club chairman Roy Grant, whose son Trevor took over the business, based in Fort Fareham Business Park. He was unavailable for comment.

Ian Luckett, of Lucketts Travel, said: "We are sad to hear that Hellyers, who we have known for a long time and have enjoyed a healthy rivalry with, has gone into administration.

"Lucketts Travel has agreed to fulfil holidays, excursions and private hire bookings pre-booked with Hellyers. Therefore deposits paid by Hellyers' customers will not be lost.

"Lucketts Travel is involved in discussions with Hellyers' administrators with regards to purchasing some of the company's assets. We will not be buying the company in its entirety."

Fareham council leader Sean Woodward said: "It's always a great shame when a local business goes down. I feel for the staff and am glad customers' holidays are still protected."

Hampshire County Council is hoping to find alternative travel for 45 children who used the firm's buses to get to Henry Cort School in Fareham.