Six people, including one from East Lancashire, have been summonsed to appear before magistrates for their involvement in a puppy selling operation.

The proceedings were brought by Animal Protection Services, a registered charity that investigates and prosecutes organised animal cruelty following investigations into organised crime groups that sell puppies.

Jordan Hinds, of Burton Street, Rishton has been summonsed to answer offences of running a business of selling animals as pets, aiding and abetting, and acquiring criminal property.

Heather Young, of Lady Acre, Bamber Bridge, has been summonsed to answer offences of running a business of selling animals as pets, unlawful trading, fraud, and transferring criminal property.

Clifford Iddon, of Lambert Road, Preston has been summonsed to answer offences of running a business of selling animals as pets, unlawful trading, and acquiring criminal property.

Jacqueline Leadbetter (also known as Scanlon), of Morley Croft, Farington Moss, has been summonsed to answer offences of aiding and abetting, acquiring criminal property, possessing criminal property, and being involved in an arrangement which facilitated the use of criminal property.

Alexander Mereweather, of Three Nooks, Bamber Bridge, has been summonsed to answer offences of aiding and abetting.

And Jason Hadden, of Terance Road, Blackpool, is already before the courts for running a business of selling animals as pets but the prosecution will apply to have his charges amended to aiding and abetting.

A spokesperson for Animal Protection Services said: "During the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, demand for puppies as pets has increased inciting the involvement of unlicensed breeders.

"Whilst the prices charged for pets has doubled, the costs of rearing a litter of puppies has not.

“We are committed to ending the illegal trade in puppies through adequate enforcement of animal welfare legislation.”

All six will appear before Lancaster Magistrates on April 26.