MYSTERY today surrounded the whereabouts of a property dealer after receivers were called in at several of his premises.

The locks have been changed at a string of shops and houses belonging to entrepreneur Arthur Morgan, who runs the Morgan Salestrack Group.

Manchester-based surveyors Stevens, Scanlon and Provis confirmed they were acting as "law of property receivers" at several of Mr Morgan's individual premises on behalf of banks and other lending institutions.

It was also revealed that some of the premises, which include commercial and private houses, had been bought by Devon-based finance firm Dominion Securities, which specialise in buying and selling properties.

Dominion director John Ransom said he had been told by one former tenant that Mr Morgan was now in Spain.

He said: "We have bought several repossessed properties that formerly belonged to Mr Morgan."

The houses Dominion have purchased are in Tythebarn Street, Darwen, Plant Street, Oswaldtwistle and Manchester Road, Oldham. The firm has also bought two shop premises in Blackburn Road, Great Harwood, and a garage at Openshaw Mill, Lower Barn Street, Clayton- le-Moors. One of the Great Harwood shops was leased by two firms, East Lancashire Computer Centre and Streamline Consultants.

A note on the door at the weekend said: "Due to unforeseen problems with the landlord of these premises and an exceptional workload in the commercial side of the business the premises have been vacated and the retail outlet closed temporarily..Z.ZPlease note that no enquiries Re: Morgan Salestrack or A Morgan will be handled and that there is no connection between Streamline Consultants and Morgan Salestrack other than the expired lease on the shop at 6 Blackburn Road."

Morgan Salestrack Group's trading address is at Queens Street, Great Harwood, although the company's registered address is at Manchester-based law firm Turner Parkinson, which specialises in setting up firms.

Today Richard Parkinson said the firm had been unable to trace Mr Morgan.

He said: "We have been served with several documents in connection with his companies, but have been unable to take instructions from him. This is as far as our involvement goes."

Mr Morgan was unavailable for comment despite several attempts to contact him.

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