THE "vast majority" of jobs at Henderson Travel have been safeguarded by another firm after it stepped in to take over services.

As reported in later editions of last night's Evening Times, McGill's Buses, which is run by Rangers directors James and Sandy Easdale, has taken over 13 contracts previously run by Henderson, which employs about 150 people.

Henderson Travel, based in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, runs services across the west of Scotland but reportedly ceased trading earlier this week.

Talks were held yesterday with about 120 former Henderson staff and a spokesman said that an offer of employment by McGill's had been accepted by the "vast majority" of workers.

McGill's said unpaid wages for the last two weeks that Henderson Travel operated will also be paid to staff.

Henderson ran Strathclyde Partnership for Transport's (SPT) school contracts in South Lanarkshire and other services in areas including Hamilton, Glasgow and East Kilbride.

SPT said it had 20 contracts with them and had breached the terms by not providing services yesterday. SPT used emergency powers to offer the contract to another operator.

Ralph Roberts, managing director of McGill's, said: "I am pleased with the positive outcome of the meetings with staff. For staff, it means their jobs are secure and they can continue to work from their local depot.

"As well as the offer of employment, McGill's has decided to pick up the bill for unpaid wages to all staff, who discovered on Thursday that, not only were they out of a job, but that they had not been paid their salary for the previous fortnight's work.

"For customers, it means an end to any uncertainty over how they are going to get to work, school or college."

Bosses at McGills said all valid Henderson Travel multi-journey tickets would be honoured and fares would remain the same. Mr Roberts said they were pleased to play a key role in ensuring the "unfortunate events" had a positive outcome.

rachel.loxton@eveningtimes.co.uk