A COMMUNITY-linked anti-drug initiative is being expanded to turn the heat on dealers.

Burnley Residents Against Drugs (BRAD) project will cover the whole of Burnley and police have promised tough action against offenders.

The initiative involving local residents linking with police was initially launched in the Burnley Lane and Daneshouse areas in September, but following its success, will now go town-wide.

The aim, say police, is to reduce the misery caused by drugs through a programme of education and enforcement.

"So far, many arrests have been made as a direct result of information received from residents through the Brad initiative," said a police spokesman. Even more are expected over the coming weeks as police carry out a series of pre-planned raids on a number of addresses in the Burnley area.

Sergeant Chris Bithell said: "Thanks to the excellent response from local residents and our community partners, BRAD has enjoyed a great deal of success to date.

"What we now plan is to up the stakes and make sure the risk of offenders being caught is even higher."

BRAD posters will be used to spread the message about the campaign. Anybody with information about an offender can contact Crimestoppers free and in confidence on 0800 555 111.