One of Didcot's oldest family-run firms has been sold - bringing a century-long era to a close.

Tappin's coaches has been a favourite with holidaymakers, daytrippers and schoolchildren since the early 20th century.

For three generations the Tappin family has been at the helm of the business, now based on the Southmead Industrial Estate.

But current managing director Paul Tappin sold the business this month to Bicester-based Heyfordian - ending the family's links with the firm.

Heyfordian will continue to run the business using the Tappin's name.

Mr Tappin said it had been a difficult decision to make, but one that was best for staff and customers.

He said: "Although we have a large family, I have no direct descendants. I am the only member of the family who works in the business, so there would have been a succession issue when I retire."

Mr Tappin said he did not want to close the business, and make its 85 employees redundant, so began looking for a buyer.

He added: "It would have been easy to walk away, but we didn't want to do that. We found someone willing to run it much as it's currently run."

"There was sentiment involved, of course, because it's been in the family so long, but you put that to one side to find the best solution.

"It's got to be win-win for everybody, the staff and the customers we serve."

Mr Tappin said the business had seen many changes since his grandfather Tom Tappin established the firm in about 1900.

Tappin's first home was in St John's Road, Wallingford, but from 1934 until 1956 it was based on the corner of Park Road and Broadway in Didcot, where the KTM motorbike shop is now.

In 1956 the firm moved to premises in Station Road, but relocated to its present home on the Southmead Industrial Estate in 2002 to make way for the Orchard Shopping Centre.

But whether it is the oldest town business is a moot point.

Mr Tappin said: "We used to argue with Basil Pryor of Pryor's taxis, who is a great friend of mine, about who has the oldest business in the town."

And Mr Tappin said he was confident he had put the business in safe hands. Heyfordian is also a family run firm, with a history stretching back to the 1890s.

Graham Smith, one of four brothers who run Heyfordian, said: "Tappin's will be run as a standalone company, and as far the public are concerned they will not see any difference at all."

"I have known Paul Tappin for 30-odd years and it's very nice to come into a company with such a good reputation."

Mr Tappin said the family had not sold the Guide Friday sightseeing bus company in Oxford, and he would continue to run it.