GUARDIA CIVIL are investigating a possible fraud which has affected parents with children in schools throughout Spain. A company based in Marbella, Forward Press (Europe) Ltd, organized a short story contest for young writers in schools all over the country.

Diplomas were handed out to the winners. It then offered parents the chance of having their children’s stories published for just €13, something which hundreds agreed to.

They paid via bank transfer or internet and should have received the books in September.

However, so far no books have been published and Guardia Civil are encouraging parents to contact them and report the problem so they can prove the fraud.

The Penal Code establishes that there is no crime if the quantities are less than €400, but if Guardia Civil can prove the fraud was ‘en masse’ something can be done.

Forward Press (Europe) Ltd is the Spanish-based subsidiary of Forward Press Ltd in the UK, a Spanish daily reports.

Forward Press Ltd was established in the Peterborough by Ian Walton, 59, a saleman and poet. Forward Press Ltd went into voluntary liquidation in November after two decades of publishing books for amateur writers making its 100 staff redundant.

Insolvency practitioner Ian Yerrill of Gerald Edelman Business Recovery Professionals told Print Week: "I can confirm that whilst Forward Press no longer trades, my understanding is that another business venture has agreed to honor any unfulfilled orders placed with the company prior to its demise.”:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.