Caledonia Motors has put all of its dealerships into receivership.

Five of Caledonia’s nine strong network will be sold, while dealerships in Blackpool, Newport, Manchester and Chester will be closed resulting in 78 redundancies.

Dermot Power and Matthew Dunham, business restructuring partners at BDO Stoy Hayward, were been appointed as joint administrative receivers on January 14.

Caledonia is an independent car retail group selling Fiat, Citroen and used cars throughout the North-West and South Wales. It also has a head office in Warrington and employed more than 200 staff, in total.

Power said: "Over recent years, the car retail sector has become increasingly competitive and margins have tightened. This has had a knock-on effect on firms such as Caledonia Motor Holdings who have experienced falling volumes, cost inflation and price deflation.

“We are continuing to asses the future of the remaining individual dealerships and are currently in discussions with the car manufacturers and interested parties to work towards a rescue plan to secure the future of these dealerships."