TWO police officers have been arrested on suspicion of drug dealing.

An investigation has been launched into the serving police officers after arrests at undisclosed addresses in Haslingden, Bacup and Middleton.

The operation was part of a probe by Greater Manchester Police's (GMP) counter-corruption unit.

The man and woman, both aged 35, were detained on suspicion of supplying class A drugs, an offence which can cover trading drugs such as cocaine, heroin and ecstasy.

The operation also saw another man, also aged 35, arrested in the Haslingden area.

A week later a further arrest was made of a 29-year-old man.

The official watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), has been also been alerted.

A police spokesman said: "One of the men and the woman are serving officers with GMP.

"The officers have been suspended from duty.

"This has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission. All four have been bailed pending further enquiries."

An IPCC spokesman said: "The IPCC is supervising an investigation, being conducted by Greater Manchester Police, into allegations against two serving officers concerning the supply of drugs.

"The IPCC is regularly updated on its progress and will be informed of the outcome in due course."

Once the criminal investigation, overseen by the professional standards department at GMP, and any possible charges and prosecutions considered and resolved, the watchdog would then be responsible for any outstanding disciplinary issues, it has been confirmed.

The arrests were made between February 12 and 17, according to police, as part of a wider operation.