SEVEN men and a woman have appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged in connection with sex traffic and prostitution.

The court heard all the defendants were arrested as a result of Operation Ludlow which had started in September following complaints that a house in Barnabas Street, Blackburn, was being used as a brothel.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said the allegation was that females were being brought into the country from Romania and used as prostitutes.

All eight defendants face charges of arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation, an offence under the Modern Slavery Act of 2015 and causing or inciting prostitution for gain.

The accused are; Andra Catalina Amzulin, 27, of Station Road, Blackpool, Alexander Peter Baltoiu, 24, of St Margaret's Road, Evesham, Worcestershire, Marian Diaconu, 25, of Arborfield Close, Slough, Ionut Cosmin Dogaru, 28, of Pine Street, Blackburn, Razvan Florinel Mitru, 30, of Arkwright Road, Preston, Marius Ciprian Trasca, 29, of Watt Street, Gateshead, Claudiu-nicusor Valescu, 31, of Pine Street, Blackburn, and Traian Gavrila, 30, of Victoria Place, Preston.

They were all sent in custody to Preston Crown Court where they will appear on May 22.