TWO men who ran a cannabis delivery service have been spared jail.

Rizwan Shah, 29, and Junaid Akhlaq, 27, who were both users of the drug, were caught last November when police stopped a vehicle.

The car was searched and the officer found 10 bags of drugs ready for delivery, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Also, supply-related text messages were discovered on phones. Drugs were requested and the callers were being supplied by the pair.

Shah, of Albert Street, and Akhlaq, of Chapelhouse Road, both Nelson, each admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply. Akhlaq also pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine and ecstasy.

Akhlaq was given 16 months in jail, suspended for 18 months, and his accomplice received 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.

Recorder Kevin Talbot said: “I don't suggest for a moment that this was drugs supply on a large scale, but nevertheless, it was a serious case of drugs supply.”

He added, however, that there were significant features of mitigation in each of the defendants’ cases, although he commented: “Supplying cannabis on the street by car delivery is not acceptable.”