A young driver fears he has lost hundreds of pounds after buying suspected invalid car insurance from a company at the centre of a Trading Standards investigation.

Apprentice chef Nathan Jones, 17, had unwittingly driven uninsured and illegally for a month.

It came to light when Nathan heard that Aston Midshires Insurance was being investigated by Trading Standards.

He called the police who advised him not to drive.

The Ruskington teenager now fears he won't get his money back from the company based in Leicestershire, which has been selling insurance geared towards young drivers.

The firm is under investigation by Trading Standards, the Financial Services Authority and the City of London Police Fraud Squad.

Former Coteland's School pupil Nathan now says he faces months of saving hard to get the £2,700 needed to insure his one-litre S-reg Vauxhall Corsa.

"The only thing I have ever wanted to do is drive," said Nathan, who lives in Field Close with his sister Shania, 6, and mum and dad, Karen and Andy Jones,.

"It's been my dream since I was a boy. I turned 17 last May and passed my test in September. I saved up for the car and the insurance.

"The car cost £600 and I paid a £540 deposit for the third party fire and theft insurance on December 9 and the first of ten monthly payments of £126 went out this month.

"That was a lot more competitive than other quotes and they advertised themselves as specialising in young drivers, so I went for it.

"Then I heard the news that this company was under investigation I checked to see if I was insured but I was not. I'd been driving without insurance for a month.

"They'd even sent me a cover note and said a full certificate was due in the post. The cover note was even accepted when we taxed the car.

"Because of what's happened to me, I would say to any young drivers – make full checks and only go with the well-known companies."

Mrs Jones, who co-owns A & K Autos in the village with her husband, said: "I'm in shock to be honest.

"It's so easy to be caught out like this.

"I just want young drivers and their parents to really check things out beforehand"

Leicestershire County Council's Trading Standards Service said it has received complaints about Aston Midshires Insurance, based in Enderby.

Some of its customers who have been stopped by police found they had bought insurance which was worthless and provided no protection.

David Bull, head of Leicestershire County Council's Trading Standards service, said:"If you have purchased your insurance from Aston Midshires do not drive your car until you have valid insurance."

No-one from the company was available to comment.

Advice about how to buy motor insurance can be obtained through www.direct.gov.uk