A PRESTWICH company has been the victim of mistaken identity following a hard-hitting "World In Action" television expose this week.

The programme investigated the activities of Preston-based A1 Accident Management and made a catalogue of alarming allegations.

But the following day, bosses at A1 Accident Assist in Prestwich received telephone calls from worried clients, who wrongly believed they were the business featured in Monday's ITV programme.

But the company is in no way connected to the Preston firm and stress all their activities are legal and well above board.

During the TV programme, it was alleged A1 Accident Management wrote off vehicles, although they were economical to repair, and after buying cars from the insurance company sold them on for the full retail value.

Certain other allegations were made against the Preston business.

However, since the broadcast, Mr Gareth Mawdsley of Prestwich's A1 Accident Assist has had to deal with a number of calls.

"Since the programme, our company has experienced several telephone calls from clients who we've dealt with since we started trading more than two years ago.

"These telephone conversations were along the same lines; people who thought that we were the company investigated in the programme."

He tried to contact Granada TV but was told by the duty officer there was nothing they could do but acknowledged it was unfortunate for the Prestwich business.

Mr Mawdsley added: "I felt this was a bit of a fob-off as the gentleman wouldn't give his name."

And he stressed: "I want to make it clear to all our clients we have absolutely nothing to do with A1 Accident Management and we conduct business in a legal and professional manner."

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