DIRECTORS who ran two companies that went into liquidation have been banned from running any business for four years.

Graeme Colin Crowther, from Highfield Rise, and Mark Denholm, from Caxton Way, both Chester-le-Street, agreed to be disqualified from being directors or managing a company after their businesses failed with combined debts of nearly £250,000.

Jacksons Interiors, a building and shopfitting service based on the Drum Industrial Estate, Chester-le-Street, went into liquidation on August 24, 2001, with debts of £217,700, while Platinum Electrical Services, also based on the industrial estate, went into liquidation on April 10 owing £31,500.

Mr Crowther and Mr Denholm continued to run both businesses and pay themselves £107,400 a year, while owing £69,900 in taxes.