CREDITORS of people and businesses that have gone bust had left £19.2 million total funds unclaimed at 31 March, the official Accountant in Bankruptcy has revealed.

Matt Henderson, head of restructuring at accountancy firm Johnston Carmichael, said the onus lay on businesses to pursue money they are owed that may be held by the agency.

He said businesses were unaware of the process for claiming funds held by the agency and gave up on being paid if a customer became insolvent.

Mr Henderson said ­companies due money from a failed firm should complete the relevant formal documentation and maintain contact with the practitioner handling the insolvency.