A CHARITY shop is being investigated amid claims it has failed to pass on donations to the Essex Air Ambulance.

Trading Standards has launched a probe into the Walton Air Ambulance Support Shop in High Street, Walton, after Essex & Herts Air Ambulance claimed it had not received any money from the shop.

But the shop’s owner, Nigel Philpott-Jones, 41, told the Gazette he had passed on “some” money to the charity.

Wendy Byland, from the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust, said: “Despite meeting with the proprietor on more than one occasion, no funds have ever been received for the Essex Air Ambulance.

“Earlier this year, he offered to forward donations to the Association of Air Ambulances, of which the Essex Air Ambulance is a member, but it also have not received any money to date.

“The matter has been the subject of a police investigation whereby all promotional items were removed from the premises. Trading Standards are still investigating and will be meeting with Essex Air Ambulance to discuss the situation; the trust has also raised concerns with the Charity Commission and the Fundraising Standards Board.”

The police conducted a fraud investigation in December last year but found no offences had been committed.

Mr Jones said he had made small cash donations to the Essex & Herts Ambulance Trust, but the shop had not made a profit since opening last winter.

The former plumber said he was confident the shop would turn a profit by the end of summer and promised to pay out profits by September 1 to air ambulance charities throughout the country.

He said: “Essex Air Ambulance is trying to poison everyone.

“They have sent everybody, they have sent Trading Standards, the police, the lot. Nobody has found anything wrong.

“They do not like the fact I want to share it out to all the air ambulances, not just one.

“They want to keep the money in this region.

“Last year we did not make a profit at all, and they come along and say we do not seem to be getting any money. They have received money – we have already sent them some.

“We are trying to do our best and it seems wrong what they are doing.”

Michael Page, a spokesman for Essex County Council said: “Essex County Council Trading Standards can confirm that a complaint has been received from Essex Air Ambulance, which is currently being investigated.

“We cannot make any further comment.”