LOAN companies which provided finance to people signing up for holiday schemes through two Exeter businesses have told the Echo they  will address concerns on a “case-by-case” basis.

As previously revealed in the Echo, hundreds of people parted with thousands of pounds after signing up to buy holiday club points or weeks on river boats which could then be converted into stays at timeshare resorts across the world.

Couples bought into schemes marketed by Exeter-based companies Easy Save Finance Ltd and St Frances Marketing — but claim they were misled during sales presentations.

Many are now facing hefty debts and court proceedings from financial companies who provided them with loans to pay for the holiday schemes.

Barclays Partner Finance, which is part of Barclays bank,  and GE Money  both provided loans to people who signed up to the schemes. Both told the Echo they would address people’s concerns on a “case-by-case basis” but refused to comment on whether they would consider wiping out the debts.

As previously reported in the Echo, more than 300 people are now preparing to take a group legal action to try to quash their loans. They believe they have a strong case after a Cornish woman  was taken to court by a finance company after she  refused to pay a £13,000 loan taken out to pay for a holiday  scheme.

Her  loan was quashed in the case at Truro County Court in May this year after the judge expressed concerns about what she called a “fairly pressurised sales technique” used at the sales presentation.

Emma Brecan, of Lympstone, near Exmouth, owes almost £12,000 to Barclays Partner Finance as a result of a loan she took out to pay for a holiday scheme sold to her by St Frances Marketing.

The 39-year-old mum-of-five is due to start paying back the money next month and says she is “frightened” about the debt she is in.

“When we signed up for the holiday scheme we had to open a credit card with Barclays and St Frances Marketing took the money out of that account,” she said. “We have been left with this huge debt  and   haven’t been able to get any holidays.

“I really think Barclays should take some responsible for this as well and wipe off the debt.”

A spokesman for GE Money said: “We are aware that a number of complaints have been made about the way in which St Frances Marketing sold their holiday products.

“We no longer accept business from St Frances Marketing, or Easy Save Finance, but we take all such customer complaints very seriously and are doing what we can to help customers resolve their differences with the company.

“We will address people’s concerns on a case-by-case basis.”

A spokesman for Barclays Partner Finance said: “We’re aware of the issues relating to this merchant and we will continue to examine all complaints on a case-by-case basis.”

Directors of Easy Save Finance Ltd and St Frances Marketing, which are both now in liquidation, declined to comment to the Echo.