A BLACKROD man has been disqualified from acting as a company director for three years.

Anthony Scott Williams, of Dark Lane, Little Scotland, was barred as a result of his conduct as a director of Astech Design Services Ltd.

The company traded as electrical engineers from premises in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham for 10 years until February 5, 1999 when the company was placed into liquidation with an estimated total deficiency of £43,704.

Mr Williams accepted that he caused or allowed Astech Design Services Ltd to make a payment of at least £7,000 to a connected company, Astech Automation Ltd, at a time when crown debts were allowed to increase by £30,629.

He also accepted that he failed to provide the liquidator with evidence to support his overdrawn Directors Loan Account in respect of at least £5,380 not paid to the liquidator.