PINK Ladies Ltd has put itself into administration - and one franchisee has said he is suing the company.

The women-only taxi company is based in Hawthorne Street, Bewsey and has franchises around the country.

The Hull, Carlisle, and London franchises have gone out of business. Pink Ladies' website says it has franchises in Liverpool, Manchester and St Helens.

Andrea Winders, Pink Ladies' co-founder, of Rosemary Drive, in St Helens, said: "Pink Ladies has re-structured its business, without any interruption to services for members or inconvenience for staff.

"The closure of the Carlisle and London offices involved issues outside the control of Pink Ladies Warrington.

"Pink Ladies continues to expand while upholding the high standards of service provided, and plan to keep looking for better ways that Pink Ladies can work with members and staff.

"At this point in a young company's life we ask for support from our local community, and trust that the people of Warrington are behind Pink Ladies."

The administrators, Bond Partners of Alcester, did not return two phone calls by the Guardian.

John Ottoway, the Hull franchisee, said he paid £22,000 for his franchise and was told he would need seven cars and seven staff, with a potential income of £12,000 a month. He said, instead, he was taking £700 a month. The London franchisee, a 24-year-old who asked not to be named, said he has taken legal action for £100,000 for a lack of support and inaccurate information on potential earnings.

He said he was told he could expect £12-15,000 a month but was getting less than £500.

"It's going to take me five to 10 years to recover from this," he said.

"They have never responded to our legal letters."