ADVICE has been issued by the Lancashire County Council's trading standards team for Hajj pilgrims to ensure they've booked with approved companies.

The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca.

Trading Standards have carried out advisory visits to 15 businesses in Pendle, Burnley, Hyndburn and Preston which offer Hajj packages, to remind them of their responsibilities.

Common problems experienced by Hajj pilgrims include travel providers with no protection for payments, not giving essential information such as flights, itinerary and hotel details in writing, and not providing the travel agent's full contact details.

County Cllr Albert Atkinson, deputy leader of the county council, said: "We advise people to check that they've booked with a reputable company, who will do their best to provide customers with value-for-money accommodation and travel for their Hajj.

"Don't take the risk of having a bad experience by paying your money to unauthorised businesses."

In some cases pilgrimages may be sold through a network of people, with no information about which company is responsible if there are any problems.