ADMINISTRATORS last night said they were confident of finding a buyer for a troubled North-East pub and club chain.

Wessex Taverns Group went into administration last week

The group, based in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, operates 32 outlets, mainly in the North-East, and employs about 420 people. It got into difficulties after experiencing tough trading conditions this year.

Joe McLean, of administrators Grant Thornton, said: "Currently, all the outlets continue to trade normally whilst the business is assessed.

"Most of the bars are very well-established and continue to trade well, and I expect them to attract significant interest."

A spokesman said the business was stable and would continue to trade as normal.

The administrator is under an obligation to get the best deal possible in any sale, but is understood to be looking for a buyer for the entire chain, rather than a piecemeal approach.

The group is led by managing director Keith Liddell and finance director Kamran Aziz.

Flagship venues include the Pacific Bar Caf, in the centre of Newcastle, and two bars in the city's popular Quayside drinking circuit.

The group, which partially banned smoking in its properties last October, also owns or operates Bacchaus and Club 2K, in Darlington, the Turk's Head, in Barnard Castle; and Monaco, in Bishop Auckland. Its portfolio also includes The Hairy Lemon, Prague and Vienna in Middlesbrough; and The Unicorn Inn in Richmond, North Yorkshire.

Pub operators have faced rising overheads in recent months, with higher wages and energy bills.