A SCRAP merchant has been disqualified as a company director for four years after his business failed with debts of about £784,000.

Paul James Stanley, 38, of Axwell Park, Blaydon, Gateshead, was banned from being a company director at Newcastle County Court.

He was a director of Stanley Building Materials, in Cowen Road, Blaydon, and plastics firm Stanley Polymer Processing, in Manchester.

Leeds District Registry placed Stanley Building Materials in liquidation, in March 2000, owing £12,079 in VAT and total debts estimated at £61,896.

Stanley Polymer Processing was placed in compulsory liquidation by order of the High Court of Justice, in June 1999, with debts believed to be about £721,663.

The Official Receiver at Stockton found Mr Stanley culpable of unfit conduct for permitting Stanley Building Materials to illegally burn waste, for which the company was fined a total of £14,031. on two separate occasions.

Mr Stanley also failed to ensure Stanley Polymer Processing paid VAT taxes.