THREE local men have been sentenced to a total of ten and a half years in prison for the possession and supply of ecstasy.

Ian Barry McKie, 29, of Ullswater Road, Lancaster, was sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment, Arron Wilson, 23, of Hest Bank Lane was sentenced to three and a half years and Lee William Coulton, 19, of Willacy Parade, Heysham was sentenced to two and a half years at a young offenders institution following a sentencing hearing at Preston Crown Court on Friday.

Sentencing the three men, Judge Sachs said: "Because these drugs may be prevalent it does not reduce the gravity of the offences. Each of you knew of the very serious effect of these drugs. By your own greed you were prepared to put people's lives at risk."

McKie sold 32 ecstasy tablets on various occasions to undercover police officers who were posing as drug users at the Warehouse Nightclub in Lancaster. He was arrested on May 25 on Moor Lane having just left the Gregson Centre. He was found in possession of over 150 tablets with intent to supply and must serve at least half his sentence.

Arron Wilson, was arrested on May 26 at the Alex Public House, Lancaster, and pleaded guilty to supplying 11 ecstasy pills and possession of 90 tablets.

Lee Coulton was arrested on May 25 at Morecambe Police Station.