Police are investigating the collapse of a pioneering advice line for gay and bisexual men which was launched in a blaze of publicity.

The Shipley-based OUTline Trust - launched on February 9 after winning the support of celebrities such as Julian Clary, Lily Savage and heritage minister Chris Smith - offered much-needed advice to hundreds of men across Bradford and West Yorkshire.

But now -- just six weeks later - police are investigating the Trust whose phone lines are ringing unanswered.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire police said they had received several complaints about the founder of the Trust, Simon Thorpe.

"An investigation is now under way," she said.

The project relied on a team of volunteers staffing the helpline from 3pm to midnight, seven days a week.

It had plans to attract enough volunteers and funds to become a 24-hour operation and had wanted to link up with upper schools and colleges around the district to provide support to teenagers who were confused about their sexuality.

Investigations began after a number of complaints about debts were laid against the Trust. Steve Crossley, owner of Girlington-based company Type Tec, said he is still owed £300 for stationery ordered for the advice line shortly before Christmas last year.

Mr Crossley said: "I've got about seven different numbers for The Outline Trust but have had no response from any of them, no matter what time of day or night I ring."

Alan Charlton, of Charlton Ltd on Cutler Heights Lane, also said he was owed around £230 by the advice line.

He said: "I was contacted between Christmas and New Year by the Trust, which ordered stationery. I was given a cheque, but when I went to cash it, it bounced.

"I tracked the Trust down in February to an address in Barry Street, when I was given another cheque, which had been stopped by the bank."

Co-ordinators at the Council for Voluntary Services on Sunbridge Road - which is where, according to the Trust's headed notepaper, its registered office is located - said that the Trust had never been based in the building.

The line operated from offices in Bradford before suddenly ceasing operations.

A CVS spokesman said: "We have had a lot of enquiries about how the Trust can be contacted."

She added: "There is considerable concern about this activity among HIV health promoters."

The Telegraph & Argus has repeatedly tried to contact Mr Thorpe, the founder of the Trust, at his office but the number has now been disconnected, as has his mobile number.

An advice line number for the charity is now unobtainable.

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