Victims of a North-East horse box scam which saw customers across the country conned out of hundreds of thousands of pounds today hit out at their pitiful compensation payouts.

Gary Upson and son Ryan fled their Darlington business, Just Trucks, in May 2004 with about £500,000 of customers cash, leaving numerous orders outstanding.

Scores of people were left out of pocket - some by up to £60,000 - and have fought ever since to reclaim some of their lost money.

The Upsons business partner, Karen Winks, was forced to apply for insolvency and sell her North Yorkshire home as a result of the scam, in an attempt to repay debts accumulated by the pair.

Now, more than 18 months after Gary, 68, and Ryan, 35, are believed to have fled the country, aggrieved customers have been offered only a fraction of what they hoped for.

Creditors were originally told to expect 34p in the pound compensation - but were actually given only 12p.

Today, some of the 39 people who have been paid from the proceeds of Ms Winks' insolvency said the payments were not enough.

Tom Blair, 63, who lost £62,000 on a motor home for his quadriplegic son Iain, said it was barely a fraction of what he handed over.

But whatever we were given wouldn't have been enough to compensate, said Mr Blair, from Middlesbrough.

Ian and Angela Greensitt, from West Yorkshire, were conned out of more than £14,000 in cash and equipment. They received £1,900.

Mr Greensitt told The Northern Echo: "Our solicitor whos been fighting this case for us has cost more than that. Were still thousands of pounds down.

"Although I'm amazed we've seen any money at all, at the end of the day, this isn't money from the Upsons. It certainly doesn't change what's happened, and we still want them back here to face what they deserve.

Joanna Wiggins, from Lincoln, received a cheque for £600 for her £5,000 loss.

"It's not enough, not at all, and I'm not happy about it, but there is nothing I can do, she said. From the very start it's seemed like crime pays - but being a victim counts for nothing.

Liquidators David Horner and Co, in York, who are handling the claims, refused to comment.

Anyone with information about the Upsons or their whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Constable Dave Sampson at Durham Polices fraud squad on 0845 60 60 365.