A SOLICITOR was struck off for professional misconduct after admitting he had conflicts of interest while working for firms in Bury and Bolton.

Philip Redfern (51), of Pendle View, Brockhall village, near Blackburn, acted for clients against a company of which he was a director.

He was found guilty of professional misconduct after he also breached undertakings and delayed in dealing with conveyancing matters. Mr Redfern did not attend the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal in London, after he made a request in writing for an adjournment on health grounds but the tribunal panel ordered the hearing should go ahead.

Mr Gerald Lynch, acting for the Law Society, said Mr Redfern admitted the allegations of breaches of the undertakings, delay and conflicts of interest occurring while working at Ellison Blank Goldsmith in Farnworth and then Slater Ellison in Broad Street, Bury.

His conflicts of interest arose as he was a director of Hemmington Homes Limited yet he acted for clients in relation to that compnay.

Client Sonya Smith had tried to get repair works carried out at her address but the building firm ran out of money.

"He continued to act for both parties but as a director of the firm he should have said he was compromised," said Mr Lynch.

The conflicts of interest emerged after November 1998 and led to complaints from other solicitors who took over the files.

Tribunal chairman Mr John Potter said: "This is a dreadful course of conduct by Mr Redfern over a substantial period of time to the prejudice of a number of people."

He was ordered to pay costs of £2,532.