ONE of North Wales’ top coach hire firms has been bought out by a Llandudno-based bus company

The family-run Abacab, based in Conwy, has been taken over by business and executive coach hire firm Alpine Travel.

Abacab has specialised in private, luxury coach hire since 1987.

The takeover by Alpine, founded in 1972, has facilitated Abacab owners Chris and Denise Jones to retire.

Alpine has confirmed that the service will continue for customers and staff.

Chris Jones from Abacab said: “Having dedicated the vast proportion of our professional lives growing Abacab Coaches into one of the region's premier coach businesses, when the time came to retire, Denise & I believed that Chris and the team at Alpine would be the perfect people to continue with and maintain the excellent standards that our customers expect, whilst providing long term job security for our fantastic drivers.”

Chris Owens, of Alpine Travel, said: "I look forward to continuing the excellent service Chris and Denise have been providing to their customers for many years."

"It is a hard industry to be in, and they have built up a fabulous business over the years, with a similar ethos to us.

"They felt it was time for them to take a step back and enjoy their retirement.

Abacab's four drivers and fleet will now be based at the Llandudno depot.

Mr Owens added: "Already, their drivers have fitted in really well with our staff."