FIVE men were due to be sentenced this week for their part in a multi-million pound case of fraudulent trading which was rife throughout Lancashire.

At least several Preston firms fell prey to the scam.

The sentencing was due to take place at Leeds Crown Court on November 15, 16 and 17.

Defendants Jason Clarke, Peter Hilton, John Stenson, Anthony Dardis all pleaded guilty to a number of counts of fraudulent trading. Lee Hilton pleaded guilty to two counts of making false trade descriptions.

Lancashire County Council said the companies, which traded in a fraudulent manner, took up-front fees form clients businesses all around the country.

The fees, ranging between £200-£300, were paid after businesses had been led to believe that they would receive a reduction in the level of business rates they were paying, or the up-front fee would be returned to them.

Tens of thousands of businesses lost money, never receiving any reduction in the level of business rates they paid or any refund of their up-front fees.

The offences date back to 1993 and involve a range of companies known as Oldfields and Strattons.

Strattons and Co (Consultant Surveyors) Limited pleaded guilty to three counts of making false trade descriptions

The court hearing is the culmination of the largest investigation ever undertaken in the history of the trading standards service.

It was jointly launched by the trading standards departments of Lancashire, Cheshire and North Yorkshire county councils.

Hundred of businesses in Lancashire are said to have lost money through the scam.