TWO local businessman whose company crashed with debts of around £22,000 have given undertakings not to hold directorships or take any part in company management.

The undertakings by Keiron Barnard, of Simister Green, Prestwich, and Jonathan Cohen, of Church Street, Whitefield, were given in respect of their conduct as directors of Warwick Business Services Ltd.

The company carried on business as contract packagers from Manchester before going into liquidation in March, 2000, with an estimated deficiency of £22,322.

Mr Barnard agreed to be disqualified for two years and Mr Cohen for four years.

The acceptance of the undertakings prevents both from being a director of a company or, in any way whether directly or indirectly, being concerned or taking part in the promotion, formation or management of a company for the stipulated periods.

Matters of unfit conduct included the fact that both men caused or allowed their business to fail to pay Corporation Tax returns as and when due for five years of its trading and to fail to pay Corporation Tax due in respect of each of those trading years.

This was despite the fact that notices to file the respective returns were sent to the company's registered offices and that audited accounts showing the yearly Corporation Tax liability and the build up of arrears were available.

As a result, Corporation Tax totalling £99,290 due from February, 1994, to March, 2000, and penalties of £23,452, making a total claim of £122,732, was not paid.

A separate matter of unit conduct against Mr Cohen was that he operated an interest free director's loan with Warwick Business Services Ltd and from January, 1995, to March, 2000, its debit balance increased from £26,463 to £100,424 and remained unpaid at the date of liquidation.