A Lancashire law firm that provoked a complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) by suggesting that people could get 'cash for Christmas' by pursuing an accident claim has received a ruling in its favour.

Glassbrooks posted advertisements in the regional press under headlines including: 'Do you need some cash this Christmas?' and promised that if the firm accepted a claim, 'We will let you have 300 of your compensation within seven days - what's more, if you lose your case you pay us nothing.'

The ASA dismissed the complaint after sole principal Nick Glassbrook said he had cleared the advertisements with the Law Society.

The ASA accepted that the firm had made the terms of the offer clear and said the campaign would not cause widespread offence.

Mr Glassbrook said he adopted the marketing technique after acting for many hard-up people who were unemployed as a result of serious accidents.

'They are desperate for cash - particularly immediately before Christmas - even if it's only 300,' he said.

'If the case fails I write it off and if it wins I take 300 out of their compensation at the end; either way they have lost nothing.'

Paula Rohan