Police say they have contacted about 300 former clients of a Suffolk accountancy firm as part of an investigation over fraud allegations.

Apostle Accounting, which was wound up last year, is being probed by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) after ex-clients revealed they had been told to repay tax returns.

Apostle, which was based in Stowmarket, has denied any wrongdoing over the matter, while HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has said individuals are responsible for their own tax affairs.

A spokesman for ERSOU said: "Enquiries remain ongoing in relation to allegations of fraud involving a business in Stowmarket, Suffolk, and investigators are working closely with partner agencies to establish what offences may have been committed.

"Around 300 people have been contacted in relation to the investigation and ERSOU detectives continue to encourage anyone who believes they have been defrauded, to report it.

"This can be done by contacting Action Fraud online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040."

The issue arose last spring as it emerged dozens of former Apostle clients had been contacted by HMRC instructing them to repay tax returns they had claimed through the accountancy firm.

East Anglian Daily Times: Apostle was wound up last yearApostle was wound up last year (Image: Newsquest)

Apostle claimed their tax returns from HMRC and took a cut out of the sums received.

Several former clients have told this newspaper they faced the prospect of having to repay sums in the tens of thousands of pounds.

Last October, it emerged that Apostle, which was founded by Zoe Goodchild in 2012, had been wound up and had appointed DFW Associates of Leeds as liquidator.

The saga even featured in an episode of BBC One's Rip Off Britain last autumn.

When the show's findings were put to Apostle, the firm said it "rejects any accusation of any wrongdoing in the strongest possible terms" and said it was "not solely an issue that former Apostle Accounting clients are dealing with".