POLICE seized £40,000 stashed in a pigeon loft during a drugs raid in Colne.

Now the town's top officer says the force will seek a confiscation order to recover the money they believe was the proceeds of drug dealing.

Inspector Richard Clare told a meeting of the Colne committee that if successful the cash could be ploughed back in to policing and community projects.

He said: "In one of the raids we found £40,000 in cash. This person is on benefits and it was rather surprising to find it.

"It's quite rare to seize this amount of money.

"We found traces of drugs on the money so we are looking at confiscating the £40,000.

"The money could be put back into the community. Some of it could go towards policing costs which might be able to pay for another vehicle or more bobbies on the beat and some it can be put into community projects."

The discovery was made in a loft at a house in Casserley Road in December as part of Operation Frustrate the police operation to clamp down on suspected drug dealers, thieves and people committing anti-social behaviour.

A large amount of tablets, believed to be ecstasy, were also seized during the raid.

A man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of possession of class A drugs with intent to supply.

He was released on police bail pending further inquiries.