POOLE firm Redsave has agreed to drop its High Court libel case over internet posts criticising its service.

The gadget firm came to a last minute deal with consumer website Unbeatable.

Redsave, based in Sterte Avenue West, had launched an action for up to £50,000 but settled without receiving any money or an apology.

The firm had been the subject of dozens of complaints from shoppers.

People said they did not realise buying certain products signed them up to a £19.95-a-month shopping club.

The money was paid out of their account every month and some people did not spot the deductions until the total was in the hundreds of pounds.

Redsave said its terms and conditions were clear but buyers took out the anger with allegations at websites like Leicester-based Unbeatable.

The two companies came to an agreement on Tuesday, the day before a High Court hearing to decide what evidence could be used in a trial.

Callum McKeefrey, boss of Unbeatable, said: “We have not admitted to any malpractice and not made payment for any of the claimant’s costs, nor apologised for any actions carried out by us.

“The case has been time consuming and very stressful for all of our management and employees.”

Redsave has changed the look of its website since the complaints were made.

The action was mainly filed over an online thread that was at least 293 pages long.

A statement from Redsave’s solicitors, Ellis Jones, said: “The aim was to ensure the removal of inaccurate and damaging remarks. “The entire forum was removed in March 2008 and this final settlement means that the defendant agrees to never repeat similar allegations.”

Unbeatable’s solicitor Sameer Karim believed they would have been able to produce at least 10 witnesses if the trial had gone ahead.

Mr Karim, a partner in DWS, said a trial could have also set precedents in internet libel law.

He said: “The decision to settle was a purely commercial one.

“What this case has done is give a warning light, that if you are going to sign up with a less well known seller, that it is imperative you check the terms and conditions.”