People hoping to go on Umrah have been left stranded in the UK after a travel agent ‘disappeared’.

The case is believed to involve a company from Blackburn and travellers from Leicester.

In a message being shared on social media a claim is made that families (up to 40) were meant to go to Umrah (visit to holy sites in Saudi Arabia) on the 22nd December but cannot get hold of the travel agent.

It is said that travellers had paid cash at a shop on Dronfield Street in Leicester but it is now closed as the owner from Blackburn can no longer be contacted.

We have learned pictures being shared of a woman who worked at the business in Leicester are not of the owner nor has she anything to do with the missing bookings.

In a video now seen by Asian Image the woman in the pictures says she is innocent. Speaking in Urdu she said, "Whatever money I got whilst working there I deposited in the company bank account.

"I am innocent I have not taken anyone's money I have not gone anywhere - I am here."

She adds, "Uploading pictures of a woman on social media in this way is very wrong. they have disgraced me.

"If I did not have my family with me I would not know what to do."

We attempted to contact Al Fayroz Travel and Tourism via phone and e-mail and have yet to receive a response.

The registered address of the company is on Whalley Range in Blackburn.

But the owner at the address there said they had nothing to do with the firm.

The owner of Call Box in Blackburn told us they were just as confused as everyone else, “The company were just renting space here. It has nothing to do with us. Even we are owed rent for six months.

“Our reputable business has been here for many years and we have nothing to do with the travel firm.”

Asian Image has learned that two staff at both the Blackburn and Leicester offices had not been paid for several months.

The company had been trading as normal this year with people travelling on Umrah and people going on the Hajj last year. However, at the beginning of November the owner known as 'Ehsan' stopped taking calls.

With the deadline for Umrah visits looming more and more concerned customers have been unable to get in contact with the owner. Staff themselves stopped working last month after non-payment of wages.

Up to 40 customers are believed to have paid £995 to £1250 for umrah packages at offices on Dronefield Street in Leicester.

The owner is believed to be in Saudi Arabia.

Anyone affected by this story is asked to call Asian Image on 01254 298263.