Bus staff's Christmas fund cash disappears
Hundreds of bus workers were left out of pocket after discovering thousands of pounds saved by staff in a Christmas savings scheme were no longer there.
Travel firm National Express has now stepped in to offer financial help to the staff.
Workers visited Travel West Midlands Sport and Social Club Walsall, known as The Bus Club, to collect cash they had saved from their wages through the year.
The independent employee-run social club helps bus drivers, garage workers and former employees save money.
But, when they turned up at the club in Essex Street, Walsall, last week they were told the money was not there.
Chiefs at National Express have now stepped in, despite it being a private fund set up by its employees.
It is believed the money may have been spent elsewhere.
Spokesman Jack Kelly said: "National Express West Midlands is making funds available to ensure that members of staff in Walsall receive all the money they have paid throughout 2012 into the independent, employee-run social club Christmas saving fund.
"Members of our staff have raised concerns about the administration of the social club with the police and we will work with the authorities in any future investigation."
It is not clear what has happened to the money. Police were called to the club on Thursday night after it emerged members could not get their money.
One member, who did not wish to be named, said: "Everybody was absolutely gutted and angry.
"We'd all gone there expecting to get the money that had come out of our wages and were told we couldn't have it. There were children crying.."
Police today said it was deemed to be a civil matter and no criminal investigation was taking place at this time. Force spokesman Brigg Ford said: "There's going to be an internal investigation by the club.
"They will feedback to us if there's anything suspicious."
Bosses at the social club today declined to comment.
