A director of a recruitment firm which collapsed with £125,000 of debt has been banned from managing a company for four-and-a-half years.

Allan Jones, of Ravenswood Drive, Woodingdean, ran Eagle Development Services in Lansdowne Place, Hove, between November 2000 and October 2001.

The company was placed into compulsory liquidation after customs and excise discovered unpaid VAT of more than £31,000.

Mr Jones admitted allowing a bankrupt to help run the business and neglecting to submit returns and accounts to the Inland Revenue.

Eagle retained at least £70,612 in taxes and missed out on tax credits of £92,226.

Mr Jones avoided going to court by admitting unfit conduct to the Secretary of State on June 11.