A PIGEON fancier who had £33,000 hidden in a bird loft has admitted supplying ecstasy.

And police said Keith Mason, who was on disability benefits, was facing a confiscation hearing in a bid to seize the cash which they suspect was from the proceeds of crime.

Mason, 58, of Casserley Road, Colne, pleaded guilty to supplying and possessing class A drugs at Burnley Crown Court yesterday.

Police raided his home in December 2005 and officers recovered 42 ecstasy tablets and £38,380 in cash - £33,000 of which was wrapped in old shoes and hidden in his pigeon loft on waste land off nearby Russell Avenue.

Mason was charged with possession with intent to supply class A drugs, supplying class A drugs and possessing criminal property - the £38,380.

He pleaded not guilty to intent to supply but admitted possessing 42 tablets.

Mason pleaded guilty to supplying the drugs, which was on the basis that he gave one tablet to a visitor to his house between November 1 and December 12, 2005.

He denied possessing criminal property and that charge was allowed to lie on file.

Judge Beverley Lunt adjourned sentencing until next month and said she was considering a suspended prison sentence.

Speaking after the hearing, Detective Constable Mike Sarson said officers raided Mason's home after receiving tip-offs about drug dealing.

He said: "Obviously to have obtained the warrant we had to justify to magistrates we had reasonable grounds to suspect he was involved in drug trafficking in some shape or form.

"In interview he claimed the tablets were for his personal possession and the cash was the result of savings. He was on disability benefits and he said he had lived frugally and had saved his benefits.

"He had a stomach operation and had part of his oesophagus removed and said the tablets were for himself to help with pain relief.

"But he contradicted himself and later accepted he took them for a buzz on a daily basis.

"The Crown will now decide what we are to do with regards to the cash.

"The money was originally detained under the Proceeds of Crime Act and we are anxious to explore the possibility of a confiscation hearing or a forfeiture hearing."