TWO directors of a Vale of York shopfitting and ceiling contractors, which failed with debts of more than £580,000, have given undertakings not to hold directorships or take any part in company management for six years and four years respectively.

Clive Carass, aged 47, of Sunnyside Gardens, Burton Leonard, Harrogate, and Michael Williamson, also aged 47, of Ashdowne Court, Little Crakehall, Bedale, accepted the undertakings in relation to their conduct as directors of ABS (Leeming) Ltd, which operated from Moor Lane Industrial Estate, Tholthorpe, near Easingwold.

The company went into liquidation on March 16, 1998, with estimated debts of £582,141 owed to its creditors.

The Insolvency Service (IS) said both men were now "prevented from being directors of a company or, in any way, whether directly or indirectly, being concerned or taking part in the promotion, formation or management of a company for the above periods".

It said Mr Carass and Mr Williamson had not disputed "matters of unfit conduct".

Updated: 12:03 Tuesday, January 14, 2003