UPDATE 1-British vanmaker LDV files for administration

* Vanmaker LDV to go into administration

* British government rules out bailout

(Adds UK government reaction)

LONDON, April 29 (Reuters) - British-based vanmaker LDV, owned by Russia's GAZ (GAZA.RTS), said on Wednesday it had filed for administration, putting hundreds of jobs at risk.

"The pressure of the unprecedented global downturn, coupled with the actions of a small number of suppliers, has caused the position of LDV to deteriorate to the point where LDV has been left with no alternative than to apply for administration," a company spokesman said.

"This application will be processed on 6 May and the management team will do everything up to that date to secure the future of the business as a going concern," he added.

The government ruled out a bailout, but said potential investors had been made aware the company would be eligible for "a range of government support" once its finances were made sound.

"But the first responsibility for putting the company on a sound footing rests with the current owner and any potential investor," a spokesman for Prime Minister Gordon Brown said.

LDV employs 850 people at its plant in central England. It has not been producing vehicles since running into financial problems late last year.

"There continues to be interest from a potential foreign investor who wants to keep manufacturing at Birmingham. We will continue to do everything we can to secure this investment and to support the workforce at this difficult and worrying time," the LDV spokesman said.

The British government has said repeatedly that any further funding for the company should come from GAZ, Russia's second largest car producer, which is controlled by entrepreneur Oleg Deripaska and has been hard hit by a slump in domestic sales.

LDV last month had asked the government for between 4 and 5 million pounds as a bridging loan ahead of a planned management buyout (MBO).

"It is somewhat ironic that since the MBO was rejected, which aimed to transform LDV into an advanced electric van company, the government has made clear its desire to make Britain a leader in green vehicle technology," said Erik Eberhardson, leader of the planned buyout and GAZ chairman.

"Despite this setback, I will continue to work behind the scenes to try and develop an 11th hour solution for LDV and save the jobs and production in the UK," he added. (Editing by Mike Nesbit)