A WOMAN with learning difficulties has won back £250 from police who seized more than £4,000 from the bedroom of her Burnley home.

Lancashire police had claimed that the cash belonged to teenage Nazma Begum's brother Amjad Khan, a suspected drugs dealer, of Arley Gardens.

But Ms Begum, who is on benefits, said the money was hers.

Burnley Crown Court had heard how last October, the town's magistrates had agreed £4,169 found by police at Arley Gardens should be forfeited under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Ms Begum, who said the £250 had been in a cash box, appealed against the decision and took her fight to the higher court.

And Judge Pamela Badley, sitting with two justices, partly allowed the appeal, saying Miss Begum could have back the £250 - but the bench ordered she pay £3,461 in costs.

The court had been told how police went to Arley Gardens last March and found a large number of bank notes, and the cash box, after pulling back a bed quilt.

Ms Begum could not account for the cash, except for the £250 found in the money box.

The bench heard Ms Begum was receiving £190 in fortnightly handouts, including incapacity benefits and a disability living allowance.

Her barrister John Luckshaw, had alleged the amount of benefits received, over a year, equated to the amount of money seized.