A COUPLE from Darwen, who fled to the Costa del Crime' after being convicted of involvement in a £1 million cigarette smuggling ring, are still awaiting arrest.

Police have secured Europe-wide warrants for Stuart Murthwaite, 48, and Catherine Gillen, 45, formerly of Beech Grove, who disappeared in February and are known to be hiding in southern Spain.

Once the warrants are executed, the pair can be brought back to face sentence at Preston Crown Court.