THE jury in an East Lancashire drugs trial has been hearing how police kept a watch on the movements of a Burnley man.

A log was taken of various sightings of a blue van and the man -- Azizul Wahab -- during observations carried out in May 1998.

Details of the surveillance operation were related to Preston Crown Court where the 31-year-old, of Clive Street, Burnley, is on trial, accused of conspiracy to supply heroin.

Two other men also face the same charge which all deny. They are Asad Khan, 39, of Cronkshow Street, Burnley, and Joseph Cromer, 29, of Clee Road, Cleethorpes.

Wahab and Khan also deny a second charge of conspiracy to conceal or transfer the proceeds of drug trafficking.

PC Jill Watson told the trial that she made a number of observations on one particular date. A blue van was initially seen in Colne Road, heading towards Burnley town centre.

The vehicle was later noticed stopped in Robinson Street.

Wahab was leaning out of the window, talking to a man dressed in scruffy clothing.

Further observations included the sighting of the same blue transit van travelling in convoy with a gold coloured Lancia towards a bypass. Another officer, Mark Dyson, told the court that the police were looking out for Azizul Wahab on the date of May 26 1998. He was seen driving a Ford Transit vehicle around noon.

Later on he was seen at a spot called Victoria Park.

Wahab and a man with long hair in a pony-tail were seen on a bridge there.

A third man then appeared, riding a pedal cycle.

The three stood together on the bridge and later on Wahab was given a lift on the bicycle.

The prosecution allege that Wahab and Khan supplied heroin to a man who sold it from a "shop" in Leeds Road, Nelson.

It is claimed so much money was generated that a post office and expensive motor vehicles were bought with the cash, including a £52,000 Porsche.

Cromer is accused of supplying heroin on the other side of the Pennines.

The trial continues.