A BURNLEY man jailed for 16 years for his alleged role in a £3.2m heroin supply operation has launched a bid to clear his name.

Asif Khan, 29, of Colne Road, Burnley, was convicted along with Yuksel Koc, 38, and Caspar Wiinblad, 27, of conspiracy to supply heroin after standing trial at Bradford Crown Court in July 2005.

The sentencing judge had described him and Koc as the "regional organisers" of the conspiracy, which they steadfastly disputed.

Three other men were also jailed for their roles in the plot, which involved 10 kilos of heroin, worth around £3m on the street. One of those was father-of-four Ibrar Ahmed, who received six years and four months for involvement in the illicit scheme.

The three men's legal teams argue that the prosecution case was undermined by an alleged failure to disclose potentially significant evidence relating to intercepted telephone calls.

The hearing before Lord Justice Hughes, Mr Justice Underhill and Judge Michael Mettyear continues, and is expected to last two days.