Rosie Cooper MP has backed local residents who have lost £11,000 after being ripped off by a dodgy investment scheme.

People living in West Lancashire along with hundreds of others across the country invested a total of £7.5 million into an investment scheme operated by Secured Energy Bonds (SEB).

The scheme was approved by a Financial Conduct Authority-authorised firm, but the money was never invested in renewable energy as promised. Instead, most of the money was siphoned off to the business’s Australian parent company before it went into administration in November 2014, leaving investors out of pocket.

Now, she is keen to hear from any West Lancashire residents who have been stung by this rip-off, telling QLocal: "I am really concerned that local people have lost £11,000 after being ripped off by this firm.

“The authorities should make sure that no one is left out of pocket as a result of this business’s failure to keep its promises.

“I would strongly encourage any West Lancashire residents who have lost money on this scheme to get in touch with me.”