Looe's harbour commissioners are in a state of shock after a visit from the head office of the Charity Commission last Friday afternoon.

Writs were served as a matter of format, on the chairman Robert Newton, vice chairman Mike Soady, and a member of staff, before all the records and books belonging to the harbour board were removed for investigation.

A spokesperson for the charity commissioners based at Taunton issued a statement to the Cornish Times yesterday.

He said, 'Following concerns regarding the management of the charity, the commission is conducting a formal enquiry. We are receiving full co-operation from the harbour trustees and we are working with them to ensure that the best interests of the charity are served'.

Until the investigation has been completed, which the commission say is standard procedure when concerns are raised, the harbour office is operating on a skeleton basis, and is only able to pay staff wages and bank any monies coming into the office.