THE inventor of the notorious Africar wooden car has admitted fraudulent trading and deception.

Anthony Howarth's company Africar International Ltd, based on Caton Road in Lancaster, collapsed in 1988 leaving massive debts including £100,000 of prospective customers' deposits.

Howarth, 57, yesterday (Wednesday) pleaded guilty to one offence of fraudulent trading and five specimen offences of obtaining a total of £32, 807 by deception from prospective customers by falsely promising their vehicles would be ready within a specified period. Liverpool Crown Court heard that although Africar International had collapsed after a failed floatation there are plans for the vehicle to be manufactured abroad.

Howarth's barrister Mr Peter Rook QC said: "Mr Howarth is likely to be involved in a management capacity.

He added that Howarth pleaded guilty on the basis of reckless rather than deliberate behaviour and had also not gained personally.

Howarth, who now lives with his daughter in St Leonard's Road, Weymouth, was further bailed until June 20 when he is to be sentenced.

Judge David Marshall Evans QC warned Howarth that extending his bail and adjourning the case for the preparation of a pre-sentence report did not indicate the eventual outcome. Howarth has pleaded not guilty to eight other offences involving the theft of £19,000 and obtaining money from creditors. These are not to be proceeded with.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.