A WEYMOUTH couple are among hundreds of holidaymakers who say that a car hire company has taken them for a ride.

Linda and Graham Hughes are furious that they ended up paying twice to rent a car for a week in Fuerteventura from London-based firm Hire for Lower.

Westminster Trading Standards has received more than 500 complaints about the company which also trades as Autos Abroad and claims to organise vehicle hire in more than 100 countries.

Matalan employee Linda, 48, of Broughton Crescent, said before they left for their break, she paid £87 to the firm and was sent a voucher.

She said: "We were sent a voucher to pass to the sales rep at the airport who would then give us the car. But when we did this, the rep said they had not been paid and we couldn't have the car.

"We rang Hire for Lower in England who said if we paid again they would reimburse us when we got home. So we paid out another £87.

"Thankfully we had our credit card with us but if we had been a young couple without enough money, it would have ruined our holiday."

After Linda and Graham returned to Weymouth, they were told they would have to wait 28 days for an investigation into what happened.

The couple made numerous calls to Hire and Lower once the month was up, but nobody answered.

They decided to take the company to a small claims court and were awarded £140 to cover the second payment and expenses, but this money has not yet been received.

Linda added: "We have been treated very badly and they shouldn't be allowed to trade like this."

A spokesman for Westminster Trading Standards advises anyone else who has similar problems with Hire for Lower to contact their credit card provider for a refund and added that the firm's offices have been locked for the last few days.

Hire for Lower and Autos Abroad were not available for comment.