A COMPANY which has gone into receivership has left customers hundreds of pounds out of pocket. Customers of Herbmedic, which trades under the name Herbs and Acupuncture, on Queensway in Stevenage have been left counting the cost after shelling out hundre

A COMPANY which has gone into receivership has left customers hundreds of pounds out of pocket.

Customers of Herbmedic, which trades under the name Herbs and Acupuncture, on Queensway in Stevenage have been left counting the cost after shelling out hundreds of pounds for treatment they never received.

The company, which has practices across the country, is now in the hands of receivers, Macintyre Hudson.

Sandra Emery, of The Paddocks in Stevenage, paid �350 for 10 treatment sessions, but only received one before the practice closed.

She said: "A standard course of treatment is 10 sessions, so most customers will have bought this package.

"I went on Saturday for my second session and it was closed."

She said staff had been trying to persuade her to hand over more than �700 since Christmas, enticing her with offers including a year's pass for unlimited treatment.

She said: "It's a bit of a surprise they were pushing long treatment courses knowing they were so close to going under."

Mrs Emery is also concerned about her medical records, which she says are made out for every patient, as she has no idea what has happened to them.

Claudia Gois, of Walden End in Stevenage, paid �240 for 12 treatment sessions but only received four before the practice closed.

She said: "I went there on Friday and it was closed. There was no warning or anything.

"I got in touch with head office and they said it's very unlikely I will get money back.

"I am very upset. It's a lot of money, and money is tight at the moment.