POLICE and the Home Office were today investigating claims by a national newspaper of a fake marriage immigration racket centred on Blackburn.

But Ismail Pirbhai, of Dartford Close, Blackburn, who was named in connection with the alleged racket, today denied any involvement and said he was contacting his solicitors.

The newspaper named Mr Pirbhai amid claims that illegal immigrants have paid up to £7,000 to marry women who have assumed a different identity just for the service.

It was also claimed the name of one woman, allegedly the daughter of a Blackburn businessman, has been used on seven different occasions without her knowledge even though she now lives in Africa.

The News Of The World today said it was making its dossier of evidence available to the police and the Home Office for them to investigate.

A Lancashire police spokesman said today: "We will be liaising with the News of the World and are very interested in looking at any information that they have."

A spokesman for the Home Office said: "The Immigration Service Enforcement Directorate will be looking into the News of the World dossier of evidence." Mr Pirbhai, 52, spoke to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph today, denying the claims.

He said: "I do not know what they are talking about. I have absolutely no idea what is going on.

"I have never even spoken to the News of The World and I have certainly never tried to arrange a marriage. It is all lies. I am talking to my solicitor today."

The newspaper claimed that the racket involved charging illegal immigrants for the weddings, which involved women who assumed the identities of dead or expatriate women.

Several venues were used for the racket, including register offices in Blackburn, Chorley and Preston.

Mr Pirbhai added: "It is the second time the newspaper has tried to stitch me up. This really hurts me.

"What have I done to deserve this?

"I can only think I have offended someone in the past and this is their way of getting me back.

"Fortunately, my friends and family have rallied round and are supporting me. It is so hurtful."

In September 1992, Mr Pirbhai was fined £400 by magistrates in Leyland for producing leaflets accusing Blackburn MP Mr Straw of 'hating Muslims,' urging people 'not to vote for Mobster Straw.'

Former Lancashire County Council leader Louise Ellman won £10,000 in damages after Mr Pirbhai made similar claims about her.