Officials from Notts County are trying to trace representatives of an estate agency which had promised cash for a sponsorship deal.

The Aaron Scargill agency handed over �5,000 as a down payment on a �100,000 deal with the club but the firm has now apparently stopped trading.

Notts County director Doug Ward said: "We agreed the deal at the end of July and got the first payment, but have heard nothing since them."

The Second Division Magpies planned to rename their Meadow Lane Stadium in Nottingham the Aaron Scargill Stadium, but that change had been cancelled.

Lost deposit

Meanwhile some homebuyers are worried they could lose cash as a result of the mystery surrounding the Scargill estate agency.

Lawrence and Betty Dickerson paid a �750 deposit to the agency for a house they wanted to buy.

The estate agency is not answering calls

"We liked this house so much that we went to Aaron Scargill agents and they told us we had better put a deposit as soon as possible," Mrs Dickerson said.

Mr Dickerson said: "When I didn't hear anything I tried to phone, but couldn't get through on as the lines were jammed.

"When I went down to the estate agent myself, everything was closed up and there were other people waiting as well."

The firm, based on Bull Close Road in Nottingham, operates as a relocation and letting agent, but also handles house sales.

It is owned by holding company Torngold Limited, which is registered in Derby.

Cash flow

Notts County, the oldest club in the Football League, is looking into the situation but has already started talking to people about a new sponsorship deal.

The club has recently faced financial difficulties caused by the collapse of ITV Digital.

At the time of the sponsorship Aaron Scargill director Paul Johal said: "The Magpies share our interests and as a vital part of the community, it was an easy decision to come on board."

Penny Sommerfeld, a sales director with the company, said: "We are proud to be supporting the club and hope this is the start of a long-standing relationship."

No one from Aaron Scargill was available for comment on the current problems.