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Although he says the birth of his son was "the happiest moment of my life", he soon felt as though he was leaving his partner "in the lurch".

That left his suppliers in the lurch and stranded thousands of artificial Christmas trees.

Many people may be left in the lurch, and the state may have to start considering standing up a new program for insuring homes in the fire-ravaged state, he said.

Now, former clients tell the BBC they have been left thousands of pounds out of pocket and “in the lurch” by authorities, while Archie has declared himself bankrupt.

She said differences in childcare across the border were frustrating and she felt she had been left in the lurch.