Look East investigates

The company, Steamy Affairs, has failed to give refunds to customers who have paid  for trips which never happened. Their telephone calls have gone unanswered.

Among them is pensioner Hazel Slough, from Northampton, who paid £408 for a day trip with her daughter which was cancelled at the last minute.

Hazel Slough paid £408 for two tickets

Many other unhappy customers contacted BBC Radio Northampton's consumer show.

For 11 years the company was a successful tour operator based in Northamptonshire and Norfolk but in March 2007 it was bought by Adrian Parcell, a director of five other train companies.

Look East's Joel Mapp's attempts to talk to Mr Parcell first at the company's offices in Gloucester and then at his country home drew a blank.

But within hours of Joel's home visit  Mr Parcell's wife, Joanne, told Look East the company was going into liquidation.

Owners' statement

In a statement the owners said they had been unable to overcome Steamy Affairs' financial difficulties.

"We can honestly say that we effectively covered all circumstances and obstacles that were under our physical control. It is with regret that we have had to face the fact that the position of the company has become untenable."

Mr Parcell explained the company's difficulties in a live interview the day after Look East broadcast the Steamy Affairs report.

He said he had made arrangements for the company's phone to be manned to answer customers' queries.

• A letter has been sent to creditors inviting them to a meeting at Friday February 22 at 11am at Holiday Inn, Crest Way, Barnwood, Gloucester. If you believe you are a creditor and have not been invited to this meeting call Hazelwoods of Barnwood in Gloucester on 01452 634800.