A COMPUTER shop has been ordered to pay compensation after selling a machine that a customer took in to upgrade.

John Chambers took civil action against Nims Computers, Copy Nook, Blackburn, after his computer was sold without his permission.

Court documents show that District Judge Jones, sitting at Blackburn County Court, ordered that store owner Mohammed Akram pay £450 damages to Mr Chambers and £20 costs.

However speaking after the case, Mr Akram said he had done "nothing wrong" in selling the computer as a sign in his shop warned customers that they had three weeks to collect their machines.

He said that he tried to contact Mr Chambers on "several" occasions before selling the item - a claim that has been disputed by Mr Chambers.

Mr Chambers, 43, of St Margaret's Way, Blackburn, said: "I can't believe that this happened.

"I took my computer in to be upgraded. The hard drive which had four years of important files and information was priceless. I'll never get that back.

"I sued this man because I wanted justice as there was no reason for him to sell my computer. It was such a bizarre thing to do."

Mr Chambers, who works as a paint sprayer, claimed he had been ringing the shop "non-stop" to find out when it would be ready.

He said: "I was told they would contact me once the computer was ready.

"I didn't hear anything for a while so I contacted the shop again and the owner said he had lost my number but it still wasn't ready.

"Weeks went by and I didn't hear anything so I made contact again and was told the computer had been sold because I hadn't been to pick it up.

"I was outraged and mystified as to why he would do that."

The dispute dates back to January 2006.

Mohammed Akram, who has run the shop for the past six years, said a sign was "displayed clearly" in the shop stating computers must be collected within three weeks.

He said he had the computer "for weeks" before selling it and added: "The computer had been in the shop for over three weeks.

"I did try and ring Mr Chambers but didn't hear anything.

"I have been to court and paid what is owed to him. I have never had any complaints like this before."

Chris Allen, head of environmental health and trading standards at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said they had been made aware of the case.