EIGHT people have been charged in connection with a major police investigation into sex trafficking.

In February and March this year officers launched Operation Brixton looking into the activities of a Romanian trafficking ring operating in Blackburn, Burnley and Preston.

A police spokesman said: "The investigation began to show the group was operating and controlling the prostitution of women across different parts of the county and more widely.

"Following a series of raids a total of eight people, seven men and a woman, were arrested and following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service they have now all been charged."

They are:

Razvan Zidaru, 30, of Douglas Place, Blackburn, charged with human trafficking and controlling prostitution.

Valentina Cretu, 30, of Douglas Place, Blackburn, charged with human trafficking and controlling prostitution.

Valentin Ghelase, 35, of Feilden Street, Blackburn, charged with human trafficking and controlling prostitution.

Mihaela Barbieru, 31, of Feilden Street, Blackburn, charged with human trafficking and controlling prostitution.

Marius Serban, 31, of Castelton Road, Preston, charged with human trafficking and controlling prostitution.

Valentin Caraman, 38, of Oakenhurst Road, Blackburn, charged with human trafficking and controlling prostitution.

Stefan Ion, 32, of Wensley Road, Blackburn, charged with human trafficking and controlling prostitution.

Tahir Maqsood, 50, of Newcastle Street, Blackburn, charged with allowing premises to be used as brothel.

All of the above charged appeared before Preston Crown Court this week and a trial is expected in December.

To pass on information anonymously you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or complete an anonymous form online www.crimestoppers-uk.org . When you contact them your identity will be protected.