A DARWEN lorry driver accused of drugs smuggling faces a two year stay in prison while the French authorities investigate his case, it was revealed.

Zachary Lee Edmondson, 30, who works for Darwen-based haulier JF Mercer Transport, Melville Avenue, Darwen, is being detained in a Nantes jail following his arrest a month ago.

He was stopped for a motorway toll check in Bignon, near Nantes, where he was allegedly found to have drugs worth about £3.6 million hidden among a cargo of television sets destined for Wrexham, in North Wales.

The French Gendarmes said they found 1.2 tonnes of cannabis resin and questioned Edmondson on the suspicion of importing, acquiring, holding and transporting illegal substances -- charges which could bring a sentence of 10 years in jail.

He will be held in custody while police investigate, a process which could take two years. Phillipa Thompson from the British Embassy in Paris, said: "A consulate representative was with Mr Edmondson last week. He has been remanded in custody and there is no change in his situation. French officials are investigating the case." She said interpreters had been made available to him and that consulate representatives would continue visiting Mr Edmondson to offer support.

Rosewood Trucking, of Skelmersdale, sub-contracted the transport work of 272 television sets to JF Mercer.

Company bosses at Rosewood have been desperately trying to get the stock back from the French authorities, while managers at J F Mercer have been trying to sort out Mr Edmondson's legal fees. They are adamant that Mr Edmondson could not have bought and stored the drugs.

Mr Edmondson is a former pupil of Our Lady and St John's High School, Blackburn.