A RESPECTED gym operator who used his business as a cover for a cannabis farm has been jailed for three years.

Preston Crown Court heard that Jason Curtis turned to growing the drug because of the economic downturn.

Sixty four immature plants were discovered growing at the ironworks in Accrington during a raid.

It was felt they could have produced cannabis that may have had a street value as high as £35,000 if divided up into certain deals.

Police found evidence of a previous growing which they thought may have yielded a quarter of a million pounds if sold in street deals, the court heard.

Curtis, 41, of Whalley Road, Accrington pleaded guilty to a charge of producing the Class B drug.

William Baker, prosecuting, said officers executed a search warrant at the gym on the morning of February 6.

The defendant was asked if there was anything that shouldn't be there.

He gestured to a room he had just come out of.

Inside that room cannabis plants were growing in two tents. There were sixty four immature plants, four to eight inches tall.

The court heard there was a watering and feeding system and other things like ventilation pipes.

The prosecution said there were signs of previous crops having taken place. This included evidence of dried cannabis on the floor.

An electricity bill showed a marked increase in use of the power from about December 2010. However, the defence stated that Curtis had only half heartedly begun to get involved from 2011.

It was estimated that the plants may have made three and a half kilos of the drug. The wholesale value might have been £15,750, but if sold in street level deals, the value could have been as high as £35,000.

It was felt that previous crops could have been worth £110,250 at wholesale value. But the street value would have been just under a quarter of a million pounds.

The father of six had no previous convictions.

Tim Brennand, defending, said through his involvement, Curtis has ruined his life, his business and his good standing in the community.

"Until the economic downturn this proud and well regarded man was a central and popular member of his community. He was regarded by many as a father figure and and inspirational character.

"He used a part of the gym nobody else had access to, to prop up the business. It wasn't to live the high life.”

Judge Anthony Russell QC told Curtis he had used his business as a cover.

"You were very foolish to commit this offence," he told him.