A GARDENER was caught with a £1,200 stash of cannabis after he and friends clubbed together to buy drugs for a festival, a court heard.

Daniel Westwell, 22, was arrested after police stopped a van on Burnley Road, Accrington and smelt cannabis.

They found a black plastic bag under the front passenger seat of the vehicle, containing bags of cannabis, weighing a total of 175 grams.

Cash totalling £500 was also discovered, but Westwell said that was money from his business.

The defendant told officers about 15 people had chipped in to buy the drug.

At Burnley Crown Court, Westwell, of Hodder Street, Accrington, admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply on June 15.

The defendant was given a community order, with 120 hours’ unpaid work and must pay a £60 victim surcharge and £200 costs.

Sentencing, Judge Ian Leeming, QC, told Westwell: “You say, and it's accepted, that you clubbed together with friends to buy some cannabis.”