PILGRIMS preparing to go to the annual Hajj are being warned to be on the look-out for cowboy tour operators.

The alert comes after a number of complaints and compensation claims when promised flights did not materialise and hotels failed to come up to scratch.

This month one operator was ordered by a Yorkshire court to pay around £2,600 in compensation after being sued by a customer who went on this years Hajj.

He was sued under the Package Travel Regulations 1992 as well as for breach of contract and misrepresentation. A group, who said they had received a number of assurances, experienced a "particularly stressful" journey with an overnight stopover in Jordan which came as a complete surprise to most of the customers.

The group said their hotel was dirty and smelly with scorched carpets and beds which were too small for adults. The bath was such that it could only be used by risking injury. The group also claimed that despite promises that they would be guided throughout the Hajj they were left to their own devices.

The complainant told Asian Image, "All the money I will be receiving will be going to charity. I just feel we have to send a message out to all the bad tour operators that this will not do. The majority of people understand they are going to suffer hardships on Hajj but what I went through was ridiculous."

"I tried my utmost to be patient throughout the duration of the journey but my parents are both seventy-three and it was very difficult for them. I made it crystal clear to the tour operator the basic service I required. I was very disappointed when he failed to deliver them."

Solicitor Mr Afzal Khalifa said, "This case is a wake up call to all Hajj tour operators. Just because they provide a service which takes people to perform a religious obligation does not mean that they are untouchable when they break their promises.

"The Package Travel Regulations 1992 don't just apply to package holiday operators. They are there to protect everyone. I hope that this case will inform Hajis of their rights and that all tour operators will learn a valuable lesson for this years Hajj.

In March of this year Asian Image highlighted complaints from members of the public who had returned from with various tour operators. They spoke of a sense of disbelief at how certain operators promised to do so much yet delivered so little.

Chief Trading Standards Officer, at Blackburn with Darwen Trading Standards, Chris Allen had this advice for people travelling to Hajj.

"First of all it is important when booking to see if the operator is registered with the Airtour Operators Licence (ATOL) or Association of British Agents (ABTA).

"Secondly I would advise people not to pay by cash. A credit card payment is usually better because any payment over £100 means the credit card company also has joint liability."

He added, "The best way a finding out about a company's credentials is to ask others who have been."

"Most local trading standards in your home town are always willing to help and if you do come across any problems it would be a good idea to get in touch with them. Anyone wanting any further advice can call the Blackburn with Darwen Trading Standards Department on 01254 585904."

One tour operator who did not wish to be named told Asian Image, "I understand some might get angry but some of the time things that occur isn't our fault. I hope people won't treat any of us less favourably when they book their Hajj this year."

Lord Adam Patel, Chairman of the Governments Hajj Committee told us, "We have called a meeting with all tour operators to go through rules and regulations they should be following. And will be issuing a pamplet for customers about the kind of things they should be expecting to get tour operators."

"We are hoping to get these new rules enforced this year but it is an ongoing process."

The Hajj Committee itself receives £20,000 per year for expenses and was set up to provide only medical and consular services to Hajjis. However, voluntarily the group provides whatever other assistance it can. Lord Adam added, "Anyone going on Hajj should atleast try to get a written contract from the tour operator. Ultimately we want to have no complaints from Hajjis concerning tour operators and it is our aim to achieve that."