The former director of an estate agency which closed down says he has paid back the £15,000 it owed.

Timothy Harding claimed all tenants and landlords who were owed money in rents and deposits by Bentley's lettings office in Western Road, Brighton, have been paid back.

Mr Harding said: "All outstanding debts to landlords and tenants have been settled. I have sorted everything out.

"Anyone who believes they are still owed money should contact me personally."

The Department of Trade and Industry asked to see evidence gathered by The Argus after the office closed its doors without giving notice to tenants and landlords at the end of last month.

The Office of Fair Trading said it was investigating.

Mr Harding claimed he was in negotiations with his accountant about dissolving the two limited companies, Bentley's Estate Agents and Bentley's Residential, which he was involved with at registered offices in Western Road.

Aaron St Clair, 21, was one of scores of tenants and landlords owed more than £15,000 in rents and deposits after the closure.

Mr St Clair and his girlfriend, Natalie Pellett, 20, are celebrating after receiving a £600 cheque for the deposit they were owed after moving out of a rented flat in Vernon Terrace, Brighton.

Mr St Clair said: "Natalie and I are thrilled we have got our money back. It is a huge weight off our shoulders.

"For a while we were both really worried we may not get it back. Natalie got quite upset but I told her we may have to accept the possibility we may not see the cash again.

"It would have meant we would have had to stay at her parents' house for a while until we had saved up enough to move out.

"But, thanks to the money being paid back, Natalie and I have now been able to put a deposit down on another flat."

A landlord of a house in Brighton, who did not wish to be named, claimed he was owed £2,750 in rent and deposits from Bentley's in Western Road.

He said: "I have had some of the money paid back but am still waiting for the full amount. Our tenant got quite distraught and refused to pay rent. So we had to guarantee his money as we were the ones who appointed Bentley's as agents. We felt legally obliged.

"It is the landlords who have been left in the lurch. You wouldn't close a fruit and veg stall on a street corner the way this was shut down. If any money goes missing, it is the landlords who have to answer to the tenants.

"I am determined to make sure I get my money back."

Ray Moore, principal officer for Brighton and Hove City Council's trading standards office, said: "We have had lots of inquiries from tenants and landlords about the closure of Bentley's. Investigations into the matter are ongoing."

The lettings portfolio of 85 properties from Bentley's in Western Road has been taken over by Regal Letting and Management, St George's Road, Brighton.