THE fake weddings racket smashed in Blackburn exposed an obvious flaw in the immigration laws.

The first three of seven people involved in the international ring received custodial sentences at Preston Crown Court.

But it is the ease with which the weddings and subsequent immigration approvals were given which should make the Home Office sit up and take notice.

Does it really only take a few photographs of an apparent wedding in Bombay to win the right to live in UK?

A community leader today points out that the whole, sorry affair has tarnished East Lancashire's Asian communities. And he is right.

Police admitted that this operation was just the "tip of an iceberg" in a worldwide racket to bring illegal immigrants into the UK.

Ibrahim Patel, who was described in court as the "chief lieutenant" was given five years for his part in the racket.

Mohammed Nassib and Safrez Dudhwala, who had both travelled to India to 'marry' their brides were sentenced to 18 months and two years respectively.

Some of the weddings took place in Lancashire and it is with urgency the authorities here need to review the register office process.

Exactly how easy the immigration process is to abuse has now been exposed and that is why cases like the Blackburn racket should never happen again.

Abuse of marriage for profit is something that is not acceptable.

Whether it be in Blackburn or Bombay.