One of the UK's biggest drinks suppliers has entered administration, putting over 800 jobs at risk.

Deloitte was appointed to WaverleyTBS, which has 18 sites across the UK including London, Hemel Hempstead, Chesterfield and Gateshead, on 2 October.

It had been a major supplier of alcoholic and soft drinks to Merlin Entertainments - the parent company to top tourist attractions such as Madame Tussauds and Thorpe Park.

Daniel Butters, head of the restructuring services at Deloitte in the North East, said: 'WaverleyTBS is a prominent business within its industry and we are in negotiations with a number of interested parties who are keen to acquire the company.

'The company has a committed workforce and a strong customer network across the UK, supplying to a large proportion of both national and free trade beverage retailers across the country.'

The company's fall comes just two years after it was bought from drinks giant Heineken by a private equity group in a bid to revive its flagging sales.

Waverley was once the wholesale arm of Scottish & Newcastle, which was itself taken over by Heineken in a joint deal with Carlsberg some four years ago.