THE Government has begun proceedings to wind up several holiday clubs, some with links to County Durham, following investigations by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Patricia Hewitt, has presented petitions in the High Court to wind up Travelmasters, Mediterranean Marketing, Callmasters UK, CCH International, Intersun and Leisuremasters.

All the companies were connected with internet-based holiday clubs travelmasters.com and leisuremasters.co.uk, run from addresses across Britain, including Front Street, in Chester-le-Street.

North Durham MP Kevan Jones addressed the House of Commons in June over the growing number of holiday clubs allegedly pressurising people into handing over money for holidays that never materialised.

He highlighted the cases of several constituents who paid between £1,950 and £4,800 for membership to a holiday club but had not received a holiday or their money back. The Government has not submitted a petition to wind up that company.

Mr Jones welcomed the Government's latest action.

He said: "I'm pleased that the DTI are taking action against these specific holiday clubs.

"It is now clear we need legislation to regulate them, which I will be raising in Parliament again."

The petitions were presented to the High Court following investigations carried out by the department's Companies Investigation Branch (CIB).

The court appointed an official receiver to protect the assets and financial records of the companies until the hearing of the winding up petitions on August 14.