The directors of a minibus company are to appeal against a ruling banning them from holding an operator's licence.

The Department of Transport claimed two of the buses run by Abingdon Mini Coaches Ltd, based at Milton Park, were unroadworthy.

At a hearing in Bristol, western area traffic commissioner Philip Brown revoked the Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence held by directors John and Joanna Hodgkins and banned them from obtaining an operator's licence. The rulings come into effect from July 1, but could be suspended during the appeal process.

As the ban affects only vehicles with eight seats or more, Abingdon Mini Coaches will continue to operate, using up to two dozen cars and minibuses with up to eight seats.

The company's spokesman and former manager, Brian Van-Dungey, said: "We had four coaches and they have been sold, so the company planned to get out of that side of the business anyway.

"We contest the findings of the Department of Transport inspector because the two coaches in question had been cleared earlier at a vehicle testing station."

The commissioner also ruled there was a "loss of repute" following unsuitable maintenance reports.

Mr Van-Dungey said Mr and Mrs Hodgkins would be appealing against this and the indefinite ban on obtaining a PSV licence.

He added: "There are many aspects of this case about which the company is not happy, including the actions of a Department of Transport vehicle inspector, and it has been decided to appeal."

Mr and Mrs Hodgkins formed Abingdon Mini Coaches six years ago.

The firm employs 26 drivers and is continuing to operate cars and minibuses. Some of its contracts are with schools.

A Department of Transport spokesman said if the company lodged an appeal, the traffic commissioner's earlier ruling would be put on hold during the legal process.