CUSTOMERS of collapsed suite firm Uno in East Lancashire have lost tens of thousands of pounds.

The group, which launched its empire in Blackburn but crashed into receivership three months ago, owed a total of more than £30million according to receivers who have spent three months sifting through its records.

Included in Uno's debts are £8.1million in deposits paid by customers.

Some customers will receive the suites they ordered -- once accountants have settled wrangles with suppliers -- or their money back through credit card insurance.

But many more who paid cash as deposits or in full payment will lose out -- in some cases by as much as £2,500.

The firm's Whitebirk store was the first to be opened by the chain and attracted customers from across Lancashire. It is believed up to 1,000 people had ordered furniture from the store when administrators were appointed. All customers affected have been sent letters detailing their individual situation. In total 21,000 customers were affected by the collapse of Uno.

Across the Uno stores a total of 1,400 suites were on order by customers when the firm collapsed. Suites that had been made but not delivered have now been taken to central storage warehouses and the administrators are arranging for them to be delivered in due course.

Some suppliers are claiming ownership of the suites for money they were ownd by Uno.

The firm went into administration after announcing disastrous results and seeing its share price plummet.

Administrators Arthur Anderson said sales across the group fell by around 15 per cent in the nine months to January 2000.

"The trading environment had become increasingly competitive with competitors aggressively offering interest-free credit and major price reductions," said a statement issued by the administrators.

At the time of its collapse the company admitted a lack of "product focus" and uncompetitive credit offers had put some customers off.