A Blackburn man bought forged papers and documents in an attempt to gain illegal entry to the country for his wife.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Hamzah Nain, 21, sent a letter from a non-existent employer, pay slips, building society letters and account statements and a P60 certificate of pay to his wife in Pakistan.

But an official at the British High Commission became suspicious and discovered that they were "high quality" forgeries.

Nain, of Dalton Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assisting in illegal entry under the Immigration Act of 1971 and five charges of using a false instrument. He was committed on bail to Preston Crown Court for sentence.

Eddie Harrison, prosecuting, said that in order to assist his wife, Nain had provided a letter from a firm called Weltonhurst Plastics confirming that he worked for them. He sent 23 pay slips, a letter from the Halifax Building Society, three Halifax current account statements and the P60. "All of these documents were false and the defendant pleads guilty on the basis that he did not prepare these documents but accepts using them," said Mr Harrison.

Andrew Jackson, defending, said Nain had a baby daughter by his wife and was desperate for them to join him in the UK. Anyone wishing to enter the country must have a sponsor but, at the time of the offences Nain was unemployed and would not have been able to support his family without relying on benefits.

Mr Jackson said Nain was not familiar with the immigration laws and was told of someone who could help him.

"He approached this person, whose details he had given to the police, who said he could help," said Mr Jackson. "Nain paid some money and in return received some documents. It was only when he received those documents that he realised he was entering into a deception."

Mr Jackson said that, had Nain been aware of the rules, he could have arranged for someone else to sponsor his wife.