CONTROVERSIAL Internet firm eforyou.com has been wound up by the High Court following a petition from Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt.

And investors of the failed Darlington company have called for its directors, including founder Chris Douglas, to personally be forced to bear the cost of the millions owed.

eforyou.com went into liquidation in May, owing money to agents across the country who were promised they could make £25,000 a year selling its products - with only two hours' work a week.

Following Wednesday's High Court decision by Mr Registrar Buckley, the DTI will now appoint the official receiver as liquidator to carry out a full investigation of the firm and directors.

The department has the power to instigate proceedings by which officers of the company can be banned from holding future directorships for up to 15 years.

And it can consider legal proceedings if any evidence of fraud is found.

Chris Smith, who paid £2,500 to the company, has now received his money back from his bank, because it was paid on a credit card. However, he wants to see the directors, including Mr Douglas, personally punished as a matter of pride.

"The main thing I'm hoping for now is that everyone involved - company secretaries and everyone involved - are all disqualified from doing business again and that they pursue this new rule," he said, referring to the DTI's ability to make individuals behind such firms responsible for the outstanding debts.

"Hopefully, that will make quite a dent in Mr Douglas' bank account."

Mr Smith added a fighting fund set up by investors, which is no longer needed because of the DTI's intervention, could be given to charity.

Updated: 16.45 Thursday, July 18