A Keighley company has been wound up in the public interest after investigators found it was selling unsuitable mobility equipment to elderly customers.

More than 30 complaints have been made to West Yorkshire Trading Standards in the last year about Luggie UK Ltd, which began trading in March 2011, under the name Mobility Plus.

Investigations by the Insolvency Service’s Companies Investigation Team led to a catalogue of concerns being raised.

l It found one 80-year-old customer who had both his legs amputated was sold a scooter which guidleines suggested was suitable only for someone who had the use of both of their legs.

l Representatives who made home visits were referred to as “assessors” – but were not qualified to assess customers’ needs in relation to the suitability of scooters.

l The company sent correspondence to elderly customers in response to their complaints which lacked transparency as to the company’s identity and its officers, causing confusion, the service said.

l Concerns were raised that the company’s business was the same or similar to that carried on by Easy Care Sales UK Ltd which went into liquidation on March 7, 2011.

According to the Insolvency Service a “significant” number of Easy Care’s customers had complained about the company’s sales techniques and business practices.

Companies House records show both firms are in liquidation and both have their registered office at Huddersfield Road, Birstall.

Luggie UK Ltd, which traded from Parkway House, Worth Way, Keighley, used national newspaper advertising to sell mobility scooters to the public.

When potential customers contacted them, the company arranged home visits by sales representatives, and if any sales took place, the full payment was demanded there and then. Between March 2011 and October 2011 the company generated sales of £757,238.

Alex Deane, an investigation supervisor at the Insolvency Service, said: “This company carried on business that was not acceptable and mainly targeted the elderly and vulnerable.”

Bradford and District Older People's Alliance chairman Jean Walker, who is supporting the campaign, welcomed the closure of the firm.

Attempts by the Telegraph & Argus to contact Luggie UK yesterday found its phone number was not in operation and its offices appeared to be unoccupied.