POLICE found more than one and a half million bootleg cigarettes hidden away in steel girders when they raided an Accrington mill.

Burnley Crown Court heard how the illegal tobacco haul, which would have cheated Customs and Excise out of more than £250,000 in duty, had been smuggled into this country from Germany.

The enterprise was described by the prosecution as "organised, sophisticated, technical and well planned."

Two men involved have absconded but a father of two said to have played a "pivotal role" in it was today starting a three year jail term.

Geoffrey Deakin, 39, used his experience in the shipping industry to set up a company and invoicing which enabled the consignment to arrive at a unit in Charter Mill, Charter Street.

An accomplice, Colin Semper, 33, a £50 a day "labourer," in the set-up and involved in accompanying the girders into the United Kingdom and opening them up, escaped custody and was given 220 hours community punishment.

Sentencing Deakin, who now faces an investigation into his financial circumstances, Judge Barbara Watson said he must have been "very close indeed" to whoever instigated the scheme.

Deakin, of North Road, and Semper, of Arthur Street, both Withernsea, EastYorkshire, admitted being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of duty.

Andrew Downie, prosecuting for HM Customs and Excise, said on January 30, police were called to the unit and found 32 girders, 26 of which had the ends cut off. They found 1,593,200 cigarettes on the premises, Deakin was outside the unit and Semper was inside.

Mr Downie said Deakin told officers he was recruited by another man and paid £1,000 to set up the importation. He told the court: "This is not a case where somebody has taken the opportunity to fill the boot of their car with cigarettes. It was a sophisticated, well-planned, well organised and deliberate attempt to evade a significant amount of duty."

Mr Downie said Semper's brother Paul and another man named Rene Strobel also travelled with the girders. Both were believed to have returned to Germany and were wanted on warrants.

Sara Dodd, defending Deakin, said he had operated a legitimate and registered company and had acted on instructions. He made use of his contacts in the shipping industry to put the venture together knowing it was illegal. The harm that was done was a financial one to the government and taxpayers of this country. Miss Dodd said the defendant was under no illusions about the likely outcome of the case. He was an intelligent man of ability and could make good money when his skills were put to legitimate purposes.

The barrister added: " He has gained £1,000. That may turn out to be not so profitable at all."

For Semper, Ciaron Rankin said he wanted to know the outcome of the case and not be always looking over his shoulder.

Semper had learned perhaps a rather expensive lesson. He was paid £50 to £100 a day and was to work two days. He had stayed out of trouble for many years.