THE chairman of Blackburn-based Nightingale Signs, which went into receivership in 1995 with the loss of 20 jobs, has been declared bankrupt.

Raschid Gibrail, a former chairman of Blackpool FC, was the subject of a bankruptcy order made in Blackpool Crown Court.

Gibrail and business partner Peter Salt, both former directors of Preston-based Red Rose Radio, took a controlling interest in Nightingale Signs in 1992 when chairman Peter Taylor retired.

The firm operated from premises in Branch Road, Lower Darwen, and designed and manufactured signs for major companies such as Reebok, Greenalls and the Post Office.

It went into receivership in May 1995.

Creditors, owed £180,000, petitioned for Gibrail's bankruptcy and the case has taken six years to come to court.