BRITISH consulate representatives have visited a Darwen lorry driver in the French prison where he is being held on suspicion of drugs smuggling.

Zachary Lee Edmondson, 30, a former pupil of Our Lady and St John High School, Blackburn, was stopped over two weeks ago at a routine motorway toll check in Bignon near Nantes.

French police found 1.2 tonnes of cannabis hidden in his cargo of television sets which were destined for Wrexham in North Wales. The drugs would have been worth an estimated £3.6 million on British streets.

He is being held in Nantes during the investigation into the allegation.

Today Phillipa Thompson from the British Embassy in Paris said: "A member of the consulate staff was with Mr Edmondson yesterday to check that there was nothing he needed by way of legal aid or help. This is a normal procedure and is available to any one who requests it."

Police confirmed last week that Mr Edmondson had been quizzed on suspicion of importing, acquiring, holding and transportation of illegal substances.

But the company which employed Mr Edmondson as a driver were adamant last week that he could not have purchased and stored the drugs. And the company which organised Mercer hauliers as sub-contractors said the loading site was "not some back street joint."

Peter Gullason, director of Rosewood Trucking in Skelmersdale who organised the cargo of television sets said: "We are currently trying to get the stock back and have had to fill in the necessary paperwork for the French authorities.

:It's the customer who ordered the sets who is out of pocket and he is going mad but what can we do? We are now in other people's hands."

It is not yet known how long Mr Edmondson will be detained in France but it would be normal to stay in France until the hearing which could be up to two years. If convicted Mr Edmondson faces a 10 year sentence.