A cleaner whose dreams of a holiday abroad were swept away in a travel firm scam has applauded a High Court decision to wind up the company.

Julie Morgan, of Portslade, was one of Holidays Direct Travel's 65,000 victims whose prize trip, her first overseas, turned out to be a con.

Miss Morgan, like thousands of others, sent off her £60 fee, believing she had won a break in Malta for her and partner Buster Smith.

But her trip, and those of the other "winners," never materialised.

Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt presented petitions to wind up the Bournemouth-based firm and parent company Incentive Marketing Ltd after an investigation by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Nicholas Caddick, prosecuting, estimated £3.5 million was sent to the company but only £1.79 million had been traced.

He said fewer than 30 people had received holidays out of 65,000 who responded to the letters.

Mr Smith said: "It's excellent news. We were lucky because Visa agreed to refund us the money even though they didn't have to."

He added: "When this happened it was a real kick in the teeth because Julie was really looking forward to it. But we're getting married next year and I've promised to take her abroad for our honeymoon."

After the hearing Melanie Johnson, Minister for Competition, Consumers and Markets, said: "This judgment will be some comfort to the many people who have lost money to know that this firm has been put out of business once and for all."