A bank cashier stopped student Thomas Chizhanje using a fake passport to get a £5,000 loan, Swindon magistrates were told.

Zimbabwean Chizhanje, 23, of Woolwich, London, was trapped after opening an HSBC account in Swindon, then attempting to open a second and get a loan from another branch in Marlborough.

On Tuesday he admitted two charges of attempted deception and two of possessing false passports.

Marion Langford, prosecuting, said Chizhanje was arrested after a bank clerk noticed he was nervous while she photocopied a French passport which he had produced as identification.

He had also handed over a Lloyds TSB bank statement and she contacted them.

They realised Chizhanje was not a legitimate customer and the police were called.

When he was searched, two forged French passports were found. He told police he had been approached by a man called John but didn't know what he was going to do until he was driven to the banks.

But Miss Langford said: "It is a serious matter. It is stealing somebody's identity."

Mike Wiggins, defending, said Chizhanje had been under pressure by John, to whom the money was to have been given.

Chizhanje was committed to crown court for sentencing and remanded in custody.