A warning has been issued after a firm of funeral directors closed amid claims bereaved families were left out of pocket.

Stuart Harland, CEO of the Funeral Planning Authority has stepped in to track down the owners of Brighton-based Belmont Funeral Homes which closed in 2005 despite having sold thousands of pounds worth of funeral bonds to people.

So far, three bereaved families in the city have been told prepaid funeral bonds no longer exist after Belmont, which traded in Islingword Road, Brighton, vanished.

The most recent case is 82-year-old Maureen Hicks, from Hove, who decided to check up on the £1,500 plan she took out with a Peter Mylton-Thorley at Belmont in 2001, only to find the business had stopped trading.

She now fears the burden of her funeral costs will fall on loved ones.

The retiredhospital receptionist said: “I took out a bond with them because they had dealt with a relative’s funeral and done a very good job. Then I woke up one morning and thought I should check the plans were still okay. But when I tried to contact them, I was told they had stopped trading some years ago. I’ve no idea what’s happened to my money.”

In 2008 Barbara Mott, 83, passed away and her family were shocked to find the £765 she paid Belmont for her funeral service had gone. Similarly, when Marion Strong died in 2006, aged 99, her family had to find the money to pay for her service after the £750 she handed over to Belmont disappeared without a trace.

Other funeral directors in the area say the Mylton-Thorley family who ran Belmont were well known for many years before they vanished.

Mr Harland said: “At least three people in Brighton have been affected but there might be many more out there. People wouldn’t necessarily know unless they decided to check their bond. I would like to raise awareness about this business so the owners can be found.”

Jo Player, principal trading Standards Officer for Brighton and Hove City Council said: “Without suggesting any law-breaking on anyone’s part, we attempted to locate the person we understood was responsible for this business through a variety of means but without success.

“But if we receive further information from the public we would be happy to follow it up.”

Anyone with any information should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.