NEIGHBOURS today spoke of their sympathy for the family of a man jailed for three years for drugs offences in Cyprus.

There was no sign of life today at the home of Paul Hartley, who was jailed along with Lee Mortimer, 22, of Padiham, for importing and possessing Ecstasy in the party resort of Ayia Napa.

Hartley, 25, lives in a terrace house in Parker Street, Harle Syke, with his wife and two children.

But today the house was deserted although there was a large bull terrier-type dog kept in the back yard by a large wrought iron decorative railing and gateway.

Windows at the front of the property were all decorated with leaded glass union flags.

Hartley and Mortimer pleaded guilty to the drug offences at a court in Cyprus.

The judge said he was handing out stiff sentences as a deterrent because the resort of Ayia Napa had a fast growing reputation as a paradise for drugs.

Neighbours said the Hartley family had lived at the house for two or three years and kept themselves pretty much to themselves.

They said Paul had spent some time in the Army.

One said: "They have a lovely family and it is a shame for them that he is now in prison so far away."