DOORMEN at Utopia nightclub in Blackburn found 30 ecstasy tablets when they searched Natasha Jaqueline Kelly as she entered the club, a court was told.

But Blackburn magistrates heard that Kelly, 19, had been given the tablets by her companion just minutes before they entered the club because he feared he might be searched.

Kelly, of Lytham Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply. She was ordered to do 200 hours community punishment and pay £60 costs.

Stephen Parker, defending, said the offence was at the very bottom of the scale as far as supply was concerned.

He said the tablets had been handed to Kelly minutes before she entered the club and at first she had not realised what they were.

"When she did realise she foolishly continued, intending to give the tablets back when they got inside, but it was her who was searched and ultimately arrested," he added.

Mr Parker said the man involved had also been arrested and he had confirmed to police that the tablets were his and he had handed them to Kelly because he feared he would be searched.

Mr Parker said Kelly planned to return to full-time education as a mature student when she was 21 and had planned to pursue a career in either law or accountancy.

"Unfortunately the chances of employment in either of those spheres with a drugs conviction are virtually nil," said Mr Parker.