A homeless man was twice caught on CCTV having a "dump" in the doorway of Matalan in Accrington.

The second incident occurred on Christmas Day, where he pooed outside the shop at Fountain Retail Park in Hyndburn Road, with the first a week earlier.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard Martin Ford's unusual toilet habits had caused him "great shame and embarrassment".

Ford, 49, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to defecating  in a public place on December 19 and Christmas Day, December 25.

He was fined £80 by District Judge Alexandra Preston, who described the offences as "disgusting."

She encouraged him to engage with the Probation Service under a community order imposed in January.

"I want them to help you to find somewhere to live and to help you with your long-term drug problems," she added.

Gareth Price, offering mitigation, said the offences caused his client a great deal of shame and embarrassment.

"He was shown the CCTV footage of both incidents by the police," said Mr Price.

"They both arise from him being homeless in Accrington town centre.

"On the second occasion, Christmas Day, there was nowhere for him to go to use a toilet."