FIRMS were left thousands of pounds out of pocket following last year's Veterans' Day on the Hoe, The Herald can reveal.

It has emerged that several companies who provided services for the event were never paid – and some are still owed the cash almost 12 months on. In some cases the Ministry of Defence had to step in and pick up the tab after it commissioned a 'lessons learnt' report.

The event organiser, the Federation of Plymouth and District Ex Services Associations, is not in charge of this year's National Veterans' Day festivities, which begin today and run all weekend.

The reasons for the non-payments have not been fully explained. The Federation has referred queries to its secretary, Ron Carter, from Torpoint. He was unavailable for comment, and his wife told The Herald that he had been ill.

The Federation staged the remembrance event on the Hoe on July 14 and 15 last year, but the second day was cancelled, even though some businesses had been contracted to provide services or entertainment.

Businesses still unpaid a year on include AJ's Big Band, the Carlton Big Band and Vera Lynn impersonator Jill Daniels. They are owed more than £5,000, but it is thought that as much as £15,000 was owed at one stage by the Federation.

City firms Stage Electrics, Pathfinder Security and TFB Communications were also among those not paid, but it is understood the Royal Navy coughed up after it was argued that contracts existed between the firms and the MoD.

The ministry did give the Federation cash prior to last year's aborted event, but stressed it is unable to honour contracts of third parties.

Devonport Naval Base was also involved in talks with the Federation once the debts became known, in a bid to resolve the situation.

Gordon Bess, who represents AJ's Big Band, said musicians travelled “hundreds of miles” to perform at last year's event, adding: “We are all out of pocket. It's wrong.”

Miss Daniels, from Leicester, is still owed £1,000 plus expenses, and even took court action, but still didn't get her cash.

Federation spokesman Nevelle Edwards said he was aware of the outstanding bills, but said enquiries should be referred to Ron Carter, was the organiser.

And he said: “Because of certain contracts that were signed by other people there was quite a bit of confusion on who was to pay.”

He said he was not prepared to comment further, adding: “I don't know the full story.”

Ron Carter's wife Veronica Carter told The Herald: “A line has been put under this.”

She added: “My husband put himself in temporary bankruptcy over this.”

She said it had contributed to her husband's ill health. A Royal Navy spokeswoman said that the MoD had no liability for the bills, and was satisfied the federation had spent the money it gave it “correctly”.

However, she said: “We are disappointed and concerned to hear about the problems being incurred by those involved in the Plymouth Veterans' Day event.

“And even though the MoD has no responsibility for the contacts placed and the financial arrangements made by the event organisers, we have been trying to help resolve the issues.”

She explained that the MoD is supporting this year's event in conjunction with Plymouth City Council. Retired naval commander Charles Crichton had been named project officer.