A SKIP operator nearly lost everything when his company was investigated for alleged fraud at the tip, his wife said yesterday.

Direct Skips was investigated for more than a year but police have now stopped without anyone being charged.

Owner Alan Heywood, 45, set up the business about seven years ago with his wife Sue (pictured), and was arrested in May last year but had his bail ceased only last month.

She said without the help of her bank and support from loyal customers, Direct Skips would have shut down and she might have lost her husband had he not been able to cope with the pressure.

Mrs Heywood, who helps run the company, is now demanding an apology from Public Services for the stress the dropped investigation has caused the business and her family.

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