A WOMAN who did security work at an East Lancashire nightclub has told a jury that she never saw any drugs being sold on the premises.

She has also told Preston Crown Court that the owner of Monroes, Anthony Ian Jackson, was known to be anti-drugs and that he did not want narcotics on his premises.

Joanne Gomersall was giving evidence for the defence at the trial of Jackson, 60, of Padiham Road, Sabden.

He denies a single charge of permitting or suffering the supply of ecstasy at the club in Great Harwood.

Miss Gomersall, who works as a prison escort custody officer, told the court today that she had started going to Monroes as a customer. She said later she started to help out and this would include serving behind the bar if things were very busy.

She went on to receive training, to work as a member of the door staff and passed certificates to do so. She told how she would search women who visited Monroes.

"First of all you ask them to empty their pockets," she told the court.

"Then I would do a 'rub down' search that included running a hand along the arm and searching other areas.

"Obviously, there are parts of the body you are not supposed to touch," she explained.

"Everybody was searched.

"I knew Ian was against drugs and didn't want any in his club."

Ken Hind, defending, asked her "While you have been there, have you seen drugs being openly sold? Have you ever seen drugs being sold at all?" She responded to each question "No, never".

Miss Gomersall said she thought the searches carried out at Monroes were very good.

"Even though I was well known to staff, I was searched every time I went," she said.

The defendant has already denied the claim that he allowed drugs to be dealt there.

He denied the prosecution allegation that drugs was the reason why so many young people visited the club, situated in the "middle of nowhere."

(Proceeding)