A 30-year-old Clitheroe man forged the signatures of his wife and a neighbour to secure a loan for £11,000 secured against their house.

Blackburn magistrates heard Alistair Wood had used the money to pay for escort agencies and chat lines, as well as £550 pedigree puppy and an engagement ring.

Defence solicitor Stephen Barker said some of the spending had also been an attempt to "patch up" the couple's four-year marriage, which he said was "tense" from a very early stage.

Wood, of Chatburn Road, pleaded guilty to obtaining a money transfer by deception. He was ordered to do 70 hours community punishment and made subject to an community rehabilitation order for 18 months.

Mr Barker said Wood appeared to have been trying to address problems which had developed over the last three or four years

"I understand there is no intention on the part of the loan company to exercise their claim on the house," said Mr Barker. "My client has maintained the payments but his parents are anxious to pay off the debt quickly."

He said Wood, who had no previous convictions, realised what he had done was wrong.

"What he has said throughout is that the loan was used primarily to discharge liabilities the couple had built up by living beyond their means," said Mr Barker. "The purchase of the puppy was with the full knowledge of his wife."