A TAXI firm is to change hands after it was bought out by two of its drivers.

Lynn Orchard and her partner Colin McMain saw a business opportunity with Darlington- based Ace Cars and approached its owner Pat Mason – who is due to retire next year – to see if she would sell.

A deal was struck and the firm will formally change hands on November 2.

Ms Orchard said customers would see a change of name on the livery to Ace2B.

She also revealed the couple planned to increase the number of vehicles in the fleet from 14 to 25.

Mr McMain’s son and daughter, Ian and Claire, and Ms Orchard’s daughter, Carrie, will also be involved in running the business.

Drivers for Ace, which has its control room in the town’s Albert Hill, are “owner drivers”, meaning they own their vehicle and pay a sum to pick up its fares.

Ms Orchard, 51, who lives in Darlington, said: “The company has so much potential, and we feel we can build it up.”

Ms Mason said: “I have known Lynn and Colin for 20 to 25 years and I wish them all the best with it.

“My health is not very good, so that is one reason why I have decided to go now.”

The company hopes to move into wedding hire and eventually secure contracts in the public sector.