A FORMER businessman has been ordered to reveal details of his finances by a judge.

Mark Clarkson had been due to appear at Blackburn County Court for a public examination following the bankruptcy order made against him in May.

But a letter was sent from Mr Clarkson's doctor to the court to say he was ill and could not attend the hearing.

Nigel Cropper, representing the Offical Receiver, said the public examination had been called to 'enforce further co-operation' from Mr Clarkson, who used to head Lords Printers, in Burnley.

He said: "We have served him with various orders over the past few months. Mr Clarkson said he was unable to produce some of the information without professional help, but we think he should be able to produce it himself in most cases."

Judge Heyworth ordered that Mr Clarkson must produce a statement of his financial affairs and to provide details of any land or property, motor vehicles and other items bought, sold or disposed of between March 24, 1998 and May 28, 1999.

The information must be sent to the Official Receiver's office by 4pm on October 15.

Mr Clarkson, of Greenacres, Whiteacre Lane, Wiswell, near Whalley, was declared bankrupt in May - 20 months after the Lords of Burnley print firm he headed collapsed, leaving 50 workers on the dole and owing £20,000 in unpaid wages.

The Accrington-born father-of-four owned other companies which later closed with large debts - including a Somerset sawmill, whose previous owners last year won a High Court judgment against him for unpaid debts.

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