Debt management group Debt Free Direct has announced that profits for the nine months to January 31 are ahead of expectations.

The company, which employs around 200 on Ackhurst Business Park, Foxhole Road, Chorley, said the profits reflect strong growth in new cases and turnover.

It said profit for the year to April 30 will be above forecasts.

Andrew Redmond, chief executive officer, said: "We are pleased to be able to confirm that we continue to grow ahead of our expectations."

Taxi driver was punched in face after racist abuse

A 23-YEAR-OLD man attacked a taxi driver who asked why he had just kicked the wing mirror off his vehicle,a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard that John Culligan had subjected the driver to a torrent of racist abuse as he was driven across town and then refused to pay the fare.

Culligan, of Lynthorpe Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated assault and racially aggravated criminal damage. He was ordered to do 200 hours community punishment and pay £185 compensation to Ishtiak Ahmed and £65 costs.

Wendy Chappell, prosecuting, said Mr Ahmed had collected Culligan and two other men from the Moorings public house and took them to the Printers Arms at Furthergate.

"During the journey Culligan shouted racist comments at the driver and this continued during a dispute over the fare," said Mrs Chappell. "The other two men went into the pub but Culligan turned back and kicked a wing mirror off the taxi.

"When Mr Ahmed got out and asked why Culligan had done that he was punched in the face." When he was interviewed Culligan said he had been drinking heavily and had no memory of being involved in a fight or being arrested in the Printers Arms.