A SHOP has told customers a faulty machine caused their holiday photos to be destroyed.

And they apologised after film from weddings and holidays was 'irretrievably damaged' at Directfoto, Ainsworth Street, Blackburn.

A drive chain had snapped causing the photos to be in the developing tank for an extended period, the company said.

Attempts to repair it at the time had failed and the film was over developed.

Customers have been offered £45 as a goodwill gesture after contacting the Lancashire Evening Telegraph claiming they went to the shop on a number of occasions before being told their photos had been destroyed.

Each had earlier received a letter of apology, two free rolls of film and a processing voucher.

But on the advice of Trading Standards, Tracy Holden, of Blackburn, wrote to the shop and demanded an explanation.

And now she is happy to finally know what happened.

She said: "A last I have an explanation and have been compensated.

"There doesn't seem to be anything more I can do. But nothing can bring back those photos."