A HUSBAND and wife who dealt class A drugs from their Blackburn home have each been jailed for three years.

Preston Crown court was told that George Chatwood, 39, and his 25-year-old wife Jillian were caught following an undercover police operation in the town to tackle street level dealing.

Neil Standage, prosecuting, told the court that during April and May, Operation Hurricane was set up to target the supply of heroin and cocaine. Undercover police bought drugs from targets suspected of being dealers and the operation involved the use of covert cameras, audio equipment and video evidence. It resulted in 29 people being arrested and charged.

Mr Standage said an undercover policeman had gone to the Chatwood's home on Melville Drive, Blackburn. on April 25. Mrs Chatwood spoke to him from a window and dealt a bag of heroin. The following day her husband dealt a bag of heroin and gave the officer his mobile phone number. Other deals were done the following month.

Ian Dacre, defending George Chatwood, said the offences had occurred as a result of debts from a drugs supplier.

He had been unable to pay and pressure was put on him. Chatwood, now on a methodone reduction programme, dealt drugs to pay off the debts. "In his words, he is getting too old for this lifestyle. He wants this sentence to be his last sentence. He is determined to change," said Mr Dacre.

Mr Peter Turner, defending Jillian Chatwood, said her husband had been the prime mover.

The couple pleaded guilty to two charges of supplying a class A drug and one of being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug. They held hands as they were sentenced.