HOLIDAYMAKERS are being warned about a new timeshare-type holiday scam which could cost them thousands of pounds.

Darlington solictors' Latimer Hinks said it had seen an increased number of clients coming to them for advice after losing money to the so-called "holiday clubs".

Assistant solicitor Neil Wilkinson advised people not to sign contracts to join the clubs while on holiday.

He said the tricksters often targeted older people or retired couples, charming them with "hospitality" before delivering the hard sell.

Contracts signed offer no "cooling off" period, which timeshare agreements, under new legislation, must offer. They also detail service charges which the holidaymaker would have to pay.

Mr Wilkinson said: "We have seen a real increase in people coming in asking what to do because they have joined these clubs in places such as Lanzarote or Tenerife, signing away up to £3,000, and the companies running the clubs have just disappeared, and so has the money.

"Other cases we've seen have involved people going on these holidays arranged through the club, and they have not got their money's worth. They have to go to resorts where they wouldn't normally go at all and it works out more expensive for them than if they had organised their own holiday."

"Once these companies have your money it is very difficult to get it back, and sometimes it is not possible to find these companies at all.

The Office of Fair Trading has already warned against the holiday clubs.