ONE of Burnley's largest legal firms today confirmed its town centre offices were searched as part of an investigation into drugs money laundering.

Steele Ford and Newton's offices in Red Lion Street were searched on the day 12 people were arrested by National Crime Squad officers.

Those arrested on Wednesday include three solicitors and a legal assistant. Police have not ruled out the possibility of further arrests from East Lancashire's legal community.

Barry Dearing of Steele Ford and Newton said: "I can confirm that no member of staff, no partners, nor I have been arrested. We are cooperating with the investigation.

"The officers came with a warrant seeking information and, so far as we were able, we provided that information."

Mr Dearing insisted it was not an unusual occurrence for solicitors to provide documentation for the police.

Ten of the 12 people arrested were released without charge on police bail pending further inquiries yesterday. A man arrested in Keighley was continuing to help police with their inquiries today and a Burnley man arrested in Malaga, Spain, is still not back in Britain.

The released suspects have been asked to report back to police stations in Lancashire at a later date.

A spokesman for the National Crime Squad said today: "There could be more arrests and they could come from within the legal profession or outside it."

Legal practices in Blackburn, Earby, Burnley and Clitheroe were targeted by police and homes in Barnoldswick, Clitheroe, Padiham and Colne were searched. Computer equipment and documents were taken by officers as part of Operation Norfolk.

Investigations into money laundering began after the break-up of a drug-dealing gang known as 'The Firm'.

Head of the gang, Mathew Glover, of Foxstones Lane, Cliviger, was sentenced to 25 years' jail after amassing £3 million from drug dealing.

'The Firm' was said to have accumulated huge profits over years of illegal activity and Glover's associates received jail terms totalling 101 years.