POLICE who spoke to a late night mountain biker in Witton Park, Blackburn, found a small piece of cannabis in his pocket.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Mark Anthony Duxbury claimed he had forgotten the drug, worth about £4, was even there.

Duxbury, 27, of Hereford Road, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and was fined £40 with £40 costs.

Simon Farnsworth, defending, said Duxbury and a friend had been out in Witton Park on their mountain bikes with lights on and had stopped for a rest when police approached them at 11.30pm.

"Clearly the police though they were up to no good," said Mr Farnsworth.