A reporter who helped expose a company offering ‘secure’ airport parking services in a pub car park was subjected to a four-letter tirade after the firm closed down.

An investigation by the Manchester Evening News last summer found unofficial companies were leaving vehicles in pub car parks in the suburb of Wythenshawe, despite offering secure compounds with 24-hour surveillance and manned sites in their promotional literature.

A driver for one of the firms, called ‘Cheshire Meet and Greet’, was confronted on camera by MEN transport reporter Charlotte Cox – with the footage subsequently uploaded to the paper’s website.

The company has now closed down, providing the splash for yesterday’s edition of the paper.

According to the paper’s report, Charlotte was told to “f*** off” and labelled a tramp after the MEN had approached Cheshire Meet and Greet for a comment.

One email sent to the newsroom read: “Here’s one for you f*** off.”

A follow-up message said: “Manchester evening news go and report some news you pathetic journalist the company no longer in business because of little tramps like you.”

A third email also included reference to what the MEN described as “an unrepeatable word.”

Charlotte told HTFP: “We received a number of complaints from holidaymakers who used meet-and-greet firms around Manchester Airport and were unhappy with the service.

“Cheshire Meet and Greet was among the firms which we were told about. None were connected with the official airport meet-and-greet service.

“That they have been forced to close down is a reflection of how strongly our readers reacted. It was clearly an issue they cared about and which affects many people.”

The MEN’s investigation has won the praise of Wythenshawe MP Mike Kane.

He said: “The work done by the MEN to raise awareness of this issue is key in the battle by Manchester Airport, the council and myself to tackle this problem.”