WAVERLEY TBS Limited, one of the UK's largest wholesalers and distributors of alcoholic and soft drinks, has gone into administration, putting 200 North-East jobs at risk.

Daniel Butters and William Dawson, partners at Deloitte, have been appointed joint administrators for the beer,wine and spirits wholesaler. They intend to continue to trade the company while attempting to find a buyer.

The company is based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, and employs some 830 staff at 18 sites across the UK, including 208 at its depot in Felling, Gateshead.

Mr Butters said: "WaverleyTBS is a prominent business within its industry and we are in negotiations with a number of interested parties who are keen to acquire the company.

"The company has a committed workforce and a strong customer network across the UK, supplying to a large proportion of both national and free trade beverage retailers across the country."