A Saffron Walden travel company which rents out luxury villas in Spain has gone into liquidation – leaving some British holiday-makers stranded abroad with nowhere to stay.

DSC Limited, trading as International Villas, based in Jubilee House, Hill Street, was an internet-based firm specialised in renting out luxury villas in Ibiza and other Spanish islands, including Majorca. It closed on Thursday.

The company was not registered with ABTA, the Association of British Tour Agents.

It is understood to have had some 50 properties on its books.

There are reports that at least three British families have turned up at their holiday home expecting their dream holiday to find they couldn’t get in.

A message on International Villa’s website originally read: “It is with great sadness due to unforeseen circumstances, that the company has now ceased to trade and the directors have instructed Sharma & Co to assist with a view to placing the company into creditors’ voluntary liquidation.”

However, the message has now been updated and reads: “International Villas has ceased trading from Thursday, July 30.”

While the liquidators are making the necessary arrangements, to wind down the company, concerns are emerging that British holidaymakers are being affected by the problems.

Letting agencies in Ibiza have reported calls from anxious families trying to find other accommodation at the height of the season.

They say they have also been contacted by families due to arrive this weekend, looking for a last-minute alternative. This was confirmed by Gagen Sharma, spokesman for liquidators Sharma & Co.

Ms Sharma said: “‘Around 50 rentals, all in Ibiza, are affected and although I haven’t got a country breakdown I believe all are British.

“I have taken calls from some of the holiday-makers who have been affected. My first advice to people has obviously been to contact their insurers if they have travel insurance.”

Ms Sharma confirmed at the end of the day yesterday (Wednesday) that the business was going into liquidation after a rescue deal could not be found.

She said she understood that property owners had not been paid the rents for the villas and were therefore refusing to let the holiday-makers move in. They were arriving to find they had nowhere to stay.

International Villas rented out luxury exclusive properties, with multiple bedrooms and their own salt-water swimming pools in secluded locations. Some rents thought to be as high as £50,000 a week.

A creditors meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 25.