A CLITHEROE man with what was described in court as an "embarrassing" previous conviction failed to declare it when he applied for a firearms certificate and a shotgun licence.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Colin Wrighton, 48, of Mitchell Street, Clitheroe, had received the conviction in Manchester a month before he filled in his application forms.

The conviction was handed to the magistrates and not revealed in open court but defence solicitor Stephen Barker said his client was embarrassed at being part and parcel of it and had not wanted to include it on the application form.

"He hoped it would not show on the police national computer when his application was checked but clearly it did," said Mr Barker.

Wrighton pleaded guilty to making false statements to procure the two licences and was fined £200 with £50 costs.