A DIRECTOR of an Ashford sale of motor parts business that failed with total debts estimated at around £512,000 has agreed not to hold directorships or take any part in company management for six years.

The undertaking by Sean Robert Evans, 49, from Strood, was given in respect of his conduct as a director of MSJ Motor Factors Limited, which carried out business from premises on Sevington Retail Park and in Hart Street, Maidstone.

MSJ Motor Factors Limited was placed into voluntary liquidation in December 2001 with estimated debts of £511,924 owed to creditors.

The Insolvency Service, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Trade & Industry, has responsibility for the investigation of the conduct of directors of failed companies and for the disqualification of those who are considered to be unfit to be involved in the management of companies in the future. Matters of unfit conduct were not disputed.

He caused MSJ Motor Factors Limited to trade at the risk and expense of creditors, in particular the Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise, from at least February 2001.

No VAT returns or payments were made for the periods June, September and December 2001, resulting in an assessed liability of £65,594. Payments to Inland Revenue of PAYE and NIC deductions were not made regularly.