MYSTERY continues to surround the closure of a Stockton Heath estate agency headquarters after its owner was arrested last week on suspicion of theft.

Janice Griffiths was also caught on camera during a BBC documentary.

But clients of Griffiths and Company have been given an entirely different reason for the troubles at the London Road firm.

In a letter sent to one client, who does not wish to be named, the abrupt closure of the office was explained away by claims of an incident involving a knife-wielding intruder, while nothing was mentioned of the arrest of the company's proprietor, Janice Griffiths.

In February last year, the Guardian revealed how a different firm, Janice Griffiths and Company, had been placed into liquidation after accumulating debts totalling £168,000.

Ms Griffiths featured this week in BBC consumer programme, Brassed Off Britain, where she was caught on a secret camera seemingly agreeing to artificially deflate the price of houses on her books in order to sell to a property developer at a lower price and receive a 'finders fee' once the sale was completed.

She denies all the allegations from the programme and told the Guardian she is seeking legal advice.

Olliers Solicitors, acting on behalf of Janice Griffiths, said in a statement that Janice Griffiths was interviewed at Warrington Police Station in relation to allegations of dishonesty, but has not been charged.

For more on this story, see this week's Warrington Guardian.