A 42-YEAR-OLD Accrington man sold a fake chemical which should have helped prevent sludging and corrosion in central heating systems.

Blackburn magistrates heard the solution, which bore bogus labels of a reputable company, would in fact have caused damage to the system.

Craig Driver, of Roundhill View, Accrington, pleaded guilty to applying a false packaging sign, two charges of offering goods for sale bearing a false trade mark, possessing a false trade mark and possessing computer equipment for making false trademarks. He was made subject to commun-ity supervision for 12 months, ordered to do 100 hours unpaid work and pay £1,712 costs and £79 compensation.