THE coach company at the centre of an horrific crash on the M25 that killed six people is today shutting its doors after nearly half a century.

The final journey of WR Spring & Son is set to end at 5pm, bringing to a close 44 years of Evesham history.

After losing her brother Graham, his co-driver Christopher Sloane and his wife Karen in the crash, owner Pam Spring said her "heart is not in it any more".

As well as the dead, 40 people were injured on Saturday, November 16, when the coach veered off the motorway, careered down an embankment and smashed through the fence off junction 16 near Slough.

The passengers of the coach had been returning from a Christmas shopping day-trip to France.

"We are all trying to look forward. There is no sense looking back and we're hoping for a peaceful 2003 for everyone," said Miss Spring, whose father Roy set up the business in the late 1950s.

"We've had lots of letters of support, from Worcestershire County Council, local businesses and ordinary people in the community, just saying how sorry they are to see us go."

Despite becoming unemployed herself, Miss Spring said she was optimistic for everyone involved within the Lime Street-based company.

"We had a send-off for the drivers earlier this week and I'm glad to say that apart from those who've retired, every one of the drivers has found a job," she said.

"I've been with the business 33 years and I'll probably spend the next few months tying things up.

"I've got to find a new job and home because I've always lived on a house within the premises."

Bernard Coppin of Drakes Broughton, Norma Evans, of Synhurst, Badsey and Jane Wedgbury of Alcester, Warwickshire, also died in the crash.

The company, which had 12 coaches, originally began life as a taxi firm in Stanton, when it was set up by Roy Spring more than 54 years ago. He sold his car to buy his first coach.

Despite the closure, his separate Evesham taxi firm Vale Taxis, which he launched eight years ago, will continue to trade.