ESSEX Police and the Serious Fraud Office have confirmed they are investigating multi-million pound Caribbean holiday resort developer Harlequin Property.

The admission the authorities are investigating the Basildon-based firm run by Wickford businessman David Ames, 61, comes just days after the Echo revealed investors has given statements to the SFO which investigates complex cases of suspected fraud.

A statement on the SFO website said: "The Serious Fraud Office, together with Essex Police, is looking into complaints in relation to the Harlequin group.  The business activity of the Harlequin group includes the marketing, sale and construction of luxury off-plan property developments in the Caribbean and other resort locations.  If you have invested in Harlequin schemes, we would welcome any information you can give us."

Special report in tomorrow's Echo.