MORE than a score of worried readers have contacted the Evening Press to tell how they have paid out a total in excess of £30,000 to Global Vacations.

The paper has received a flood of calls since we reported on Saturday how the holiday firm had suddenly shut its York office, and how the fraud squad was taking a look at its activities to see if a police investigation was justified.

Callers, many of whom did not wish to be identified, told how they had attended presentation evenings at the office in Barleycorn Yard, off Walmgate, after being informed they had won a free holiday.

They said they had then paid over sums varying from as little as £40 - as an "administration fee" to receive their holiday - to £3,995 for full membership entitling them to a lifetime of cheap, luxury holidays.

Many readers complained how they had still not received their free holiday after waiting many weeks or months.

Peter Bolton said he had paid £750 in May for five years' membership but had still not received his membership pack. "I have chased them and been told my delivery is next on the list."

He said he had managed to contact the firm's Manchester head office yesterday and been told the company was still "100 per cent operational" and operating as normal.

Other concerned customers include:

Sue Stabler, who said she had paid a £120 administration fee for the free holiday she had won but was still waiting to receive it.

Ken Brockless, who paid a £500 deposit at least three months ago but said he was still waiting for his membership pack and has not been able to book a holiday.

When the Evening Press managed to get through to Global Vacations' Manchester office after many calls, an employee said: "Unfortunately, I'm not at liberty to make any comment," and referred us to an office in Perth, Scotland.

But a woman there told us to call a director who was at the Manchester office but she could not name the person. On calling the Manchester office again, a woman told us to fax our questions to a director. We will be doing that today and will report on his response.

Police have asked anyone wishing to register a complaint about Global Vacations to write to them at: North Yorkshire Fraud Squad, Tadcaster Police Station, Station Road, Tadcaster LS24 9JR.

mike.laycock@ycp.co.uk or call Mike on 01904 567132.