Ticket firm customers face losses

Thousands of music fans could lose money totalling £1.4m and miss concerts they have paid to see after a ticket agency went out of business.

The administrators for the firm, Ticket Tout, said customers would not receive tickets they were awaiting or refunds.

About 6,500 people are affected, with claims averaging more than £200. Fans can call a helpline on 020 7194 1015.

People who paid for tickets by credit card could be refunded by their card supplier, the administrators said.

'Lack of funds'

Ticket Tout, set up in February 2006, went into administration on 6 March.

"The company's offices are now closed and no further trading will take place," said a statement by joint administrators Lane Bednash and Mark Reynolds of Valentine & Co insolvency practitioners.

Initial investigations suggested there was "no possibility of refunds or of providing tickets to consumers who have placed orders with the company due to lack of available funds and the quantum of the claims", the statement said.

A special website has been set up at Insolvencynoticeboard.co.uk to provide information to the public.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6443273.stm