A GRANDAD has claimed he has been labelled a dealer in hard drugs by a police leaflet campaign.

Kevin Williamson, 41, said the "nightmare" started for him and his partner, Ann Reid, when nine police officers swooped at the family home in Dunoon Drive, Blackburn, at 11.30am.

They seized some cannabis bush and cannabis resin from a caravan in the back garden and the couple were arrested, but a thorough search of the house revealed no further drugs.

At the end of that time Miss Reid was released without charge and Mr Williamson was charged with possession of cannabis resin and possession of cannabis bush. He pleaded guilty to both charges at Blackburn magistrates and was given a conditional discharge and ordered to pay £75 costs.

But while the couple were in custody last Wednesday a Lancashire Constabulary leaflet was pushed through letterboxes in the area. It stated: "Today, police officers have executed a search warrant at an address near you. The operation is part of the ongoing crackdown on drug dealers in this area.

"The targets of these warrants have been the suspected suppliers of Class A drugs -- namely heroin and crack cocaine."

The leaflet, which is in the name of Detective Chief Inspector Neil Smith, crime-reduction co-ordinator for the Eastern Division, urges residents to co-operate with the police by providing information about suspected drug dealers.

"I am not a drug dealer and I never have been," said Mr Williamson.

"I have never had anything to do with any drugs other than the cannabis I occasionally smoke for medicinal purposes and I just want an end to the rumours that have been flying round."

"People seeing the police at our house and reading that leaflet are going to reach the obvious conclusion," said Miss Reid, who has four children with Mr Williamson and five grandchildren.

"The whole thing has been a nightmare," said Mr Williamson. "There has been a lot of talk among the neighbours and things have been said to our children and I just want to put the record straight."

In court, Michael Blacklidge, defending, said Mr Williamson had no previous convictions or cautions for drug related offences.

He said his client had previously suffered a crush injury at work which had left him with a spinal and abdominal injuries injury.

He said he had been prescribed a course of medication but this had eventually left him with stomach ulcers and other side-effects. "He has found that the best way to relax and ease the pain is the occasional use of cannabis.

"Having put the record straight they want to put this whole unfortunate incident behind them," said Mr Blacklidge.

Mr Smith said: "We are currently conducting a series of drugs raids around the division as part of the Safer Streets in Lancashire campaign.

"We are acting on information given to us anonymously from members of the public through Crimestoppers.

"That is dealt with through the correct channels, then we execute drugs warrants based on that information.

"The leaflet drops have been taking place for over a year. They provide information to residents, letting them know what is going on and information about drugs and rehabilitation for anyone who wants advice.

"It is not designed to have a negative impact on the people whose property we executed the warrant on."