Erol Flyn's swashbuckling days came to an end yesterday when he was jailed for 15 months after swindling £30,000 from his work.

The 39-year-old storeman shares his name with the wartime screen idol, but, unlike Hollywood hero Errol Flynn's best-known character, Robin Hood, he did not rob the rich and give to the poor.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how he stole from his employers in an attempt to rid himself of mounting debts.

Flyn, who was employed at Bridge End Motors, in County Durham, for 18 years, raised invoices for stock which did not exist and kept stock to sell on.

The court heard how he swindled £30,000 from the firm between January 1997 and June last year.

Defence barrister Brian Russell told the court: "This is not a case of pure greed. All sorts of debt forced this otherwise honest member of the public to take drastic action."

Flyn, of Pelaw Road, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, admitted theft.