POLICE and licensing officials have been given tough new powers to help them drive the drugs trade out of Blackburn and Darwen's pub and clubs.

Landlords and club owners who turn a blind eye to drugs dealers and users face losing their licences thanks to a hard hitting new law.

Blackburn with Darwen Council officers have welcomed the move, which gives them tougher powers to help them deal with well known drug dens.

The new legislation means the police can give details of the favourite haunts of dealers and users to town hall officials.

Public protection officers will then recommend councillors not to approve licences for the worst bars and clubs.

And in premises where police believe the problem has got out of hand, the council has been given new powers to withdraw licences. Town hall officials believe the new powers will tie in with the council's recently launched registration scheme for doormen.

Bouncers taking part in the scheme are given training in spotting drug abuse and face losing their jobs if they are convicted of drugs offences.

Peter Kuit, Blackburn with Darwen's assistant technical director, said: "Sadly there is a problem with drugs in the borough but we welcome these new powers.

"This is a significant tightening of the law which which will be very useful to us.

"This is part of a long term strategy and solving the drugs problem in Blackburn and Darwen is not something that will happen overnight."

He added: "This council is very keen to work in partnership with other agencies to tackle the problem of drug abuse.

"This new legislation also ties in with the policies we already have in place under the door registration scheme."

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