THE director of a claims-handling and accident repair management service company, which failed with debts around £551,000, has been disqualified as a company director for seven years in Blackburn County Court.

David Paul Nottingham, 49, of Greenwood Farm, Bolton-by-Bowland, near Clitheroe, was a director of Transport Management Systems, Fleetcare, Wedded Bliss and Transfinite Medical Solution, all of which carried on business from premises at TMS House, in Bolton-by-Bowland.

Mr Nottingham was also a director of Interclaims Limited, which carried on business from premises at 1 Saint Chads Court, Rochdale, Lancashire, and Eros Dating Limited, which operated from Rose House, 2 The Limes, Rayleigh, Essex.

Transport Management Systems was placed into compulsory liquidation by Order of the Blackburn County Court on May 9, 2001, on the petition of Flightform Limited, trading as Thrifty Car Hire, for £7,925, owed in respect of vehicle hire charges. The company has an estimated deficiency of £550,932.

The Disqualification Order made on April 15, 2004, prevents Mr Nottingham from being a director of a company or, in any way, whether directly or indirectly, being concerned in or taking part in the promotion, formation or management of a company for seven years.