Administrators from finance firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) said they were looking to continue running the Cains Beer Company and its network of pubs across the North West as a going concern.

A PWC spokesman said that it had already received "early indications of interest" for the pub network and the Liverpool-based brewery from a number of different parties and were continuing to seek a buyer.

He said: "It is currently our intention to continue to trade both the brewery and pub chain businesses and we will seek to achieve going concern sales over the coming weeks and months.

"We have already received some early indications of interest and we would also invite any parties interested in acquiring either the brewery or pub chain businesses to contact us as soon as possible."

In a statement to the Alternative Investment Market stock exchange, the board said it had decided to go into administration after failing to secure a funding package to keep running with the Bank of Scotland.

The firm said: "The board regrets to announce that it has been unable to successfully conclude those discussions and accordingly the board has determined that it would be appropriate in the circumstances to place the company in administration with immediate effect."

The brewery runs a number of pubs including the Last Orders chain following its £37m takeover of Preston-based pub chain Honeycombe Leisure last year.

The Last Orders chain has pubs in Church Street, Preston, Water Lane, Ashton, Station Road, Bamber Bridge, Market Street, Chorley and Church Street, Lancaster.