A Blackburn man who bought a stolen cheque book for £100 was caught the first time he tried to use it.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Mohammed Khan tried to buy a gas fire with one of the cheques but the transaction was refused and he was detained as he tried to leave the store.

Khan, 21, of Boland Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to handling a stolen cheque book and attempting to obtain a £300 gas fire from B and Q by deception.

He was fined £200 and ordered to pay £65 costs.

Mr John Wood, prosecuting, said the cheque book had been stolen during a burglary in February.

Daniel King, defending, said Khan had bought the cheque book two months earlier but eventually fell to temptation.

"As soon as the police became involved he immediately accepted his part in the incident," said Mr King.