GEORGE Reynolds last night called for the fullest possible investigation by police into the collapse of one of his former businesses.

A creditors meeting last week revealed that George Reynolds UK (GRUK) went into liquidation with debts of £4.7m.

Mr Reynolds insists he is several million of pounds out of pocket following the collapse of the chipboard manufacturer, with a factory in Shildon.

GRUK sold the manufacturing business to Vertex Panel Products in February 2002. But Vertex did not inherit the debts of the business, leaving GRUK with responsibility for creditors.

Vertex went into administration in December last year, and was sold to Masistar. But within two months, Masistar went into receivership, and the majority of the assets were bought by chipboard group Egger in April 2003.

Darlington Football Club chairman Mr Reynolds said he was not the owner of GRUK when it went into liquidation in May this year.

At the request of the Official Receiver, who is looking into the circumstances surrounding the liquidation of GRUK, Mr Reynolds is to appear at a hearing in Darlington County Court in September.

Last night, Mr Reynolds said he would co-operate fully with the Official Receiver and at the court hearing would press for a thorough investigation into the affairs of Vertex which led to the liquidation of GRUK.