A BURY-based company featured on the Crooked Britain TV series is faced with being shut down in the public interest.

The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has presented a petition to the High Court to wind up GB Research Ltd.

The firm, whose registered office and trading address is GB House, Back Silver Street, Bury, is involved in the promotion and operation of an internet-based holiday club called The Travel Association.

GB Research Ltd was incorporated in England and Wales last July and holds sales presentations to members of the public at various hotels and also at a unit in Broadway, Cambridgeshire. These premises were formerly occupied by Manor Farm Promotions Ltd, one of 14 related companies against which winding up action was taken in December.

Two accommodation addresses are also used by GB Research Ltd. These are in Hyde, Cheshire, and Chester. The sole director is Ms Tina Louise Baker and the secretary is Ms Colleen Allen.

The petition, which is listed for hearing on March 26, was presented under the Insolvency Act on grounds of public interest. When the public is at risk, the Secretary of State may ask the High Court to stop a company trading at once by appointing a provisional liquidator and winding it up.

According to the DTI, this is the quickest action that can be taken. The Court demands detailed and substantial evidence for this very serious step.

The activities of GB Research were featured in the TV programme Crooked Britain last week. Bury Council's Trading Standards department said they are aware of the company but had received no complaints from members of the public.

Meanwhile, all public inquiries concerning GB Research Ltd should be made to the Official Receiver, public interest unit, 21 Bloomsbury Street, London.