A GANG who sold drugs to schoolchildren after setting up a distribution centre in a mechanics' garage have been jailed for a total of 43 years.

Sergio Posteraro, 39, the leader of the organisation which operated from industrial premises called the Red Star Unit, in Hutchinson Street, Darwen, was given 10 years, the longest prison term .

Nine men and one woman were also sentenced yesterday after Preston Crown Court heard how they worked under Posteraro by storing drugs, or as drivers and street dealers. All pleaded guilty to supplying class A or B drugs.

Detectives smashed the gang following a five-month investigation, which included undercover officers and video and audio surveillance.

After the case, Det Insp Peter Tracy of Lancashire Police major crime unit said: "We found that heroin addicts were referred from the garage to a house in Reservoir Street, where dealing was blatant.

"Some of these criminals were seen to deal drugs to children as young as 14 who were actually dressed in school uniform."

Judge Pamela Badley said the Red Star Unit was opened originally as a garage, but this became nothing more than a sham for a drugs base.

The operation culminated with raids at 21 addresses in Darwen which resulted in the arrests.

The court heard that Posteraro recruited and pressured people into carrying out his work, including his son, Paul, 19, of Gates Walk, Darwen.

Mum-of-two Donna Marie Redfern, 34, of Hacking Street, Darwen, who received six years, became the bookkeeper and played a crucial role in managing the gang's money.

The court heard how she was troubled by the skin condition psoriasis and found that an operation at a private hospital could provide the cure.

She claimed to have become involved in the drugs gang to raise £2,000 to pay for the treatment.

Francesco Cavello, 25, of Gillibrand Street, Darwen, was labelled a "trusted lieutenant" by Judge Badley. He was given a five-year sentence for allowing diamorphine to be stored at his house.

The court heard how he also supplied ecstasy and cannabis on the streets from October 2000 to January 2001.

Mechanics Andrew Hodson, 29, of Anyon Street, Martin Howes, 38, of Anchor Grove, both Darwen, and Graham Brindle, 23, of Whitby Drive, Blackburn, were also recruited by Posteraro.

Hodson was given 12 months' community rehabilitation order and warned he would be jailed if he breached it.

Howes was sentenced to four years. Brindle, who also received four years, was involved after Posteraro put pressure on him to store 1,000 ecstasy tablets for him. He then became a driver and an occasional dealer of ecstasy.

Posteraro also recruited drugs users Robert Eaves, 29, of Reservoir Street, Michael Hain Davidson, 26, of Preston New Road, and Liam Timmon, 30, of Birch Hall Avenue, all Darwen.

Eaves, a heroin addict, was given four years after supplying amphetamine and possessing four roles of diamorphine.

Davidson was sentenced to three years for his part in dealing the drugs.

Timmon provided a safe house for ecstasy, amphetamines and cannabis. He also received four years.

Ali Nasir Shigri, 20, of Blackburn Road, Darwen was sentenced to three years in youth custody despite pleas from his family and a local mosque.

The court heard that Shigri was recruited after taking his car to the garage. He became a driver and was considered a reliable gang member.