A COURT battle over £52,000 seized from the Rishton home of a bus company boss took a new twist when police applied for permanent forfeiture of the cash.

Last week the boss of Buzy Buz, who gave her name as Lady Suzanne Bailey of Blackburn, was bringing proceedings against the police for the return of the money. But Blackburn magistrates were told that police have now served notice of their application for forfeiture. The money was seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act after a raid at Bailey's home address, The Turrets, Blackburn Road, Rishton, on November 28.

The police also executed search warrants at Appleby Business Centre, in Appleby Road, and at Daisyfield Business Centre. Mrs Bailey was arrested along with David Bailey, both directors of Catchmebus.com and Buzy Buz, and a manager with the company.

All three were released on police bail and inquiries into suspected insurance fraud are continuing.

Niamh Noone, solicitor to the Chief Constable, said the cash would be kept by police until their forfeiture application, including any appeal proceedings, was concluded. Peter Turner, for Mrs Bailey, said: "The money is required to pay wages long since overdue, it is required to pay the Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise in respect of VAT, and both of those are imposing punitive penalties on my client. Justice delayed is justice denied and the problems being caused to my client are mounting."

The magistrates granted his application for the case to be listed before District Judge Paul Firth on Monday.