THE second largest pawnbroker in the UK, which has a store in Warrington town centre, has gone into administration.

The company, which trades as Albemarle Bond and Herbert Brown, is now in the control of Mike Jervis, Peter Dickens, Toby Underwood and Stuart Maddison from PwC.

They are trying to find a buyer for the business.

It is not yet known if any jobs will be lost at the store on Sankey Street.

Mr Jervis said: “Our priority is to keep all pledged items safe and available for redemption as normal. We plan to sell all or part of the business to protect as many jobs as possible and we have already paid, or will be paying all staff - including accrued bonuses - as normal in March.”