A CLUB boss today warned that drugtaking would not be tolerated at his venue after a man caught with nearly 60 ecstasy tablets in his underpants was jailed for three years.

Christopher Ianson, 22, also had over £100 in crumpled notes when apprehended at Blackburn's Utopia nightclub, despite only having £20 on him when he entered the popular Lord Square venue.

Ianson, of Wanstead Street, Preston, pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing drugs with intent to supply when he appeared at Preston Crown Court on Friday.

Today, Kevin Midgley, General Manager of Utopia, said: "At Utopia, we take illegal drug use extremely seriously and we operate a very tight anti-drug operation.

"We are dedicated to providing our customers with a safe and enjoyable night out."

The club has also piloted a drug dog scheme which has seen trained sniffer hounds patrolling the club before it opens to spot areas where drugs have been used.

They then stand with bouncers sniffing people entering the club. The company which owns Utopia, Northern Leisure, sends the drug dogs to the club on a regular basis.

At Preston Crown Court, John Marsh, prosecuting, said Ianson went to the club in November last year. When searched at the door he had around £20 cash.

Ianson was searched again after police arrived at the venue having received a report about him.

He was found to have just over £137 cash, mostly in notes.

Inside his underpants were fifty eight ecstasy tablets.

The court was told the Ianson was drunk when arrested and therefore not interviewed until the day after.

He went on to tell police the drugs had been passed to him by a friend in the club.

He said the friend feared he had been spotted and Ianson said it was agreed he should hide the tablets and return them later when it was safe to do so.

He claimed the money he had was his.

The prosecution added that the drugs would have sold for £145-£290. John Jackson, defending, said the only grounds for believing Ianson had been dealing was the money found.

But Judge Michael Byrne told Ianson he was sure he had deliberately intended to supply to others.