A bankrupt businessman who took deposits from customers for window blinds but failed to do the work has been banned from being a company director for five years.

When customers complained to Gary Manders, 34, of Greenbank Avenue, Saltdean, he wrote them cheques from a bank account which had already been closed.

Manders, also known as Gary Bull, who now works for a blind-making company run by his wife, admitted three charges of obtaining property by deception and four offences of illegally obtaining credit while bankrupt when he appeared at Hove Crown Court.

Mr Recorder Ian Grainger banned him from standing as a company director and ordered Manders, who has previous convictions for forgery, deception and theft, to complete a 200-hour community punishment order.

Julian Woodbridge, prosecuting, told the court Manders' business, Sunshine Shades, based at Burgess Hill, started successfully but financial difficulties began in 2001 and he was made bankrupt with debts of £20,000.

The business later moved to Church Road, Hove, and then to High Street, Rottingdean, and was also known by different names.

The court heard that since being charged he had paid back most of the customers and saved enough to repay the others.

Rossano Scamardella, defending, said Manders did not realise taking a deposit from customers was classified as obtaining credit under insolvency regulations.

He said: "It is fair to say the dishonesty and deception which would appear to litter his life is something he is successfully putting behind him."