TWO men who took part in a £32,000 heroin handover - after they both served three years for a class A drugs plot - have failed to win cuts in their "severe" jail terms.

Ralph Anthony Houghton, 36, of Rhyl Avenue, Blackburn, was jailed for seven years at Preston Crown Court in June, after pleading guilty to possessing heroin with intent to supply.

Andrew Curtis Carter, 45, of Accrington Road, Blackburn, was jailed for six years for the same offence.

In November 1997, both men were sentenced to three years for convictions of supplying Class A drugs.

London's Criminal Appeal Court today refused to cut their latest sentences, rejecting claims they were given insufficient credit for their guilty pleas. These were severe sentences," said Lord Justice Pill, sitting with Mr Justice Gray.

"The judge was entitled to take the view that such sentences, in the circumstances, were required.

"They cannot be said, in our judgment, to be manifestly excessive."

In September last year, Houghton and a third co-accused went to a Blackburn mill owned by that man.

The next day police mounted a surveillance operation at the mill.

Houghton was seen to arrive and park his car, seconds before Carter did the same.

Both men went inside for a few minutes, and when they came out, Houghton had a plastic bag in his hand which he passed to Carter.

Each went to their cars and, after Carter put the bag inside, they were arrested.

The bag contained 23 smaller bags containing heroin, estimated to have a street value of £32,000.

The sentencing judge described them as the "lieutenants" of the prime movers of the operation, being responsible for moving the drugs.

He noted their late guilty pleas, giving Carter slightly more credit as his was earlier.

"In our judgment, in the circumstances of this case, the judge was entitled to limit the discount offered," said Lord Justice Pill, adding the evidence against them had been overwhelming.

He added the previous convictions were relevant to the assessment of sentence in this case.