A HAULAGE boss who blamed a high-profile crown court trial for the collapse of his business has been declared bankrupt.

The case against Stuart Taylor, who ran his international transport firm from Mellor Brook, Blackburn, was stopped at Manchester Crown Court last month by the judge, who ordered a retrial.

Mr Taylor, 43, had been on trial for four weeks in a case in which he denied conspiring to avoid more than two million pounds' duty on cigarettes.

After the stopping of the trial, Mr Taylor said the effects of the case had been a major factor in the failure of his business.

He said that he and his family were "gutted" at the collapse of their business, which had been going for 19 years and which employed 42 people.

Stuart Taylor International Transport was one of the best-known haulage firms in East Lancashire.

The firm hit the headlines in 1997 after 17 of his drivers were trapped in a French blockade.

Trucks from throughout the country were stuck in France during the 11-day blockade.

Drivers carrying fruit and fish from Spain were grounded after their French counterparts campaigned for better conditions and lower fuel prices.

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