A WOULD-BE drug dealer tried to hide his stash after he was arrested by police in a Haslingden pub.

Burnley Crown Court heard Anthony Boys, 24, not long released from prison, tried to conceal the haul from police in a metal container.

Boys, then living in Haslingden and was arrested in the Roebuck, was jailed for three years, to be served after the unexpired portion of his previous sentence.

Sentencing, Judge Raymond Bennett said the defendant would have been told when he was released that if he got into trouble he would be liable to serve the remainder of his sentence - and he now would.

The judge said different people had different views about drugs but it was unlawful and illegal to do what he was doing.

Judge Bennett told Boys: "The message has to go out that if you are caught in possession of Class A drugs, like heroin, the sentence has to be a substantial one. Please tell your friends."

The defendant, then of Old School Mews, in Manchester Road, Haslingden, but now of Oak Street, Heywood, had earlier admitted obstructing a police officer, possessing heroin with intent to supply and possessing cocaine.

Michael Lavery, defending, told the court Boys had become heavily dependant on drugs after his release from custody.

Mr Lavery said Boys had now moved away from the area and stopped taking drugs. He had realised the seriousness of the position he was in and he knew the sentence which was likely to be awaiting him.

The barrister told the court the defendant had distanced himself from drink and drugs and made efforts to turn his life around.