A HOME service firm has collapsed, leaving thousands of people without cover.

Blackburn-based Homecall Plus has been placed into liquidation after its main creditor, who has not been named, pulled the plug.

It is understood that about 10 people were working there at the time it collapsed.

But thousands of customers, who paid a monthly or annual fee for home emergency cover, are being urged to call a helpline.

Those who have been left out of pocket will be forced to lodge creditors’ claims with the Insolvency Service.

Yesterday ((THURS)), calls to Homecall, which was based at the Blackburn Enterprise Centre in Furthergate, were diverted to Rapid Assistance, a Burnley-based service company.

Staff are offering advice and directing other calls to Brit Insurance, which underwrote Homecall’s policies until late last year.

An Insolvency Service spokeswoman said: “The public interest unit of the Insolvency Service is working with the company to establish how many customers are affected.

“Some of the firm’s customers will be owed money and they will be treated as creditors by the liquidators.”

Homecall acted as a third-party provider of cover for home emergencies like heating and plumbing problems.

It was owned by Whalley-based Willhart Holdings, a holding company run by bosses John Williams and Brent Hartley.

Call the Insolvency Service hotline on 0161 2348531.

* If you have been left without cover by Homecall’s collapse, call the Lancashire Telegraph on 01254 298212.