POLICE officers are investigating an allegation of fraud against a tour operator at the centre of a cancelled Tavistock College skiing trip.

A police spokesman confirmed this week that Skiing Europe's financial affairs were being investigated following a complaint.

In February this year a trip for 120 students to Switzerland, organised through the East Devon-based company, was cancelled by Tavistock College at the eleventh hour due to concerns over hotel accommodation. A number of other schools across the country are understood to have followed suit, voicing similar concerns.

Devon County Council's trading standards department has launched its own inquiries into the matter.

Investigating officer DC Tom Waites at Tavistock CID said the investigation was at a very early stage and officers were liaising with the college, the local education authority and other police forces throughout the country.

The trip involving Tavistock College students, which cost around £800 each, was cancelled after college staff said they could not get confirmation that the accommodation booked was available.

The county council has since agreed to refund the college's costs, totalling around £90,000.