LIQUIDATORS have uncovered debts of almost £160,000 after the collapse of a North Yorkshire concert promotions company.

Up to £23,000 is owed to people who bought tickets from Ian Martin Events Ltd, of Norton, for the rescheduled Party In The Park pop event at Ripley Castle.

A meeting of creditors heard that of 12,000 available tickets only 1,500 were sold for the summer concert, organised by 63-year-old promoter Ian Martin. The Party In The Park was postponed because chart-topping boy band Blue also signed to appear in rival concerts nearby, some of which were free.

The band was not in the line-up for the rescheduled event in September, which featured pop group Liberty X. Other big names did not appear on the night.

Insolvency specialist David Horner said a "deficiency" of £159,000 had been found in the accounts of the promotions company.

He said the company had failed because of debt left as a result of the unsuccessful concert.

Mr Horner said: "Blue were booked to headline the concert, but then agreed to appear in other events in the locality at the same time, some of which were free. Because of that ticket sales fell off totally."

Although most ticket buyers can claim a refund from their credit card company, £2,000-worth of tickets for the summer event, bought with cheques and Switch cards, cannot be refunded.

The remaining debt of £136,000 is owed to creditors who helped stage the event, including Sir Thomas Ingilby, owner of Ripley Castle.

Mr Martin was unable to attend the meeting of creditors as he is in hospital undergoing tests and awaiting heart surgery. He was taken ill at the weekend with "heart complications".

He is the father of Ready, Steady, Cook chef James Martin and is playing a supporting role in his son's new eight-part BBC series on French cuisine.

Mr Martin was in France when the row broke over the company which he founded in 2001, after working as events manager at Castle Howard for almost 30 years.

The liquidator's role is to investigate all aspects of the company's affairs with a view to submitting a report to creditors. Mr Horner said the report would be finished within six months.

chris.greenwood@ycp.co.uk

Updated: 11:07 Tuesday, October 22, 2002