Members of a collapsed company pension scheme in Hampshire today called for the chairman of the trustees to fly back from his holiday abroad to help them.

They say that Brian Gay, who is chairman of the scheme trustees, is needed back here to reassure them over the crisis and address their concerns.

He had the task of informing 1,259 scheme members by letter that their APW Electronics scheme had to be wound up in the High Court because of a £55m deficit.

The legal procedure saved the American-owned electronics company at Chandler's Ford from going under, but meant that members saw the value of their pensions slashed by four-fifths.

Members say Mr Gay is thought to have been abroad for the past week or more, although it was unclear where. He is among five trustees who have also seen their pensions decimated.

It is understood that Mr Gay had arranged his holiday long before the pension storm broke.

Karen Deighton, 32, from Southampton, said: "Brian Gay should be here to reassure us and show that he is doing all he can to put pressure on APW to help members.

"He is chairman of the trustees and is there to take decisions in times of crisis."

Paul Taylor, 58, from Hedge End, said: "People tried to get in touch with him after the news, but he has not been around."

George Dunford, 64, from Southampton, said: "Mr Gay is the figurehead and we need him here to answer our questions in this crisis."

Meanwhile the first official meeting of an action committee was due to take place this evening at business premises in Hedge End.

The group was formed after 40 scheme members gathered last Saturday at The Shamblehurst Barn pub in Hedge End to share their stories of woe.

In a separate development, representatives of trade unions Amicus and the TGWU will meet the trustees at the APW factory, where 285 people are employed, on December 8 to see if the financial blow can be softened for the worst affected.

Its regional officer, Terry Edwards, said: "We will continue to pressurise to maximise the benefits for members.

"We want the company to see that there are those who are in very real difficulty."

As reported in yesterday's Daily Echo, it would cost APW £1,200 a member each year over the next ten years for its pension obligations to be met.

Mr Gay and the pensions department was unavailable for comment, and David Gallitano, the Wisconsin-based president of parent company APW, has refused to comment.