A dsigruntled Bocelli concert ticket holder has issued a rallying cry to fellow fans to join forces and chase refunds together from concert promoters Mike Dandridge and Darren Ward.

Laura Hepherd -- who spent almost £500 on six tickets in February for the doomed concert -- yesterday launched a campaign to recover the cash ticket holders have lost in the fiasco.

Mrs Hepherd, 46, is encouraging ticket holders to contact her so that together they can make a collective claim against Mr Dandridge and Mr Ward, who together ran The Very Impressive Party Company (Vipco).

The concert was initially due to go ahead on April 30 and was then rescheduled for July 10.

Plans for that date were officially scrapped last Wednesday.

Mrs Hepherd said: "This is a matter of principle -- we have got to try and get as much money back as possible -- and I think the best way of doing that is as a group rather than individually.

"I feel very strongly about this and I know lots of other people do too. Lots of people have been affected.

"If the concert's failing had been a complete accident then I don't think I would feel as strongly as I do, but because I know Mr Dandridge and Mr Ward were completely incompetent and did things like skip meetings with the council, it is a different matter.

"I, like many others, am a great admirer of Andrea Bocelli and was absolutely excited to be attending a concert so close to home.

"It has all been bitterly disappointing."

The insurance worker from Thame has already taken advice from Trading Standards and the Office of Fair Trading in London and is hoping to find a solicitor who is prepared to work for the ticket holders on a percentage basis of anything recouped.

"This is only the beginning and I am sure lots of things will start to become clear in the months ahead," she said.

"We will be less powerful individually and the costs would be considerable, so joining forces has to be the best way forward."

Trading Standards officers have asked police to investigate allegations of theft and deception against Mr Dandridge and Mr Ward and the police say they are waiting to receive paperwork.

Richard Webb, of Oxfordshire Trading Standards, said: "There is no reason why people cannot club together and act as one and it would certainly make it easier than making separate claims, but we are still hopeful these people will get their refunds and won't need to take it to court.

"There are problems I foresee with the situation, though.

"They have got to know where Mr Dandridge and Mr Ward are to serve documents on them and then there has got to be money there for them to claim it back.

"We heard yesterday about someone receiving a refund, so that is good news. If refunds are going to start coming forward then that will save everyone a lot of trouble. It's unfortunate that the promoters have not been open and honest about things."

Mr Dandridge and Mr Ward were not available for comment when the Oxford Mail went to press.

If you are chasing a refund from Vipco and would like to join forces with Mrs Hepherd e-mail her at bocelliaction@yahoo.co.uk or call her on 01844 218960.