THREE solicitors arrested in connection with an investigation into drugs money laundering have had their bail extended pending further enquiries.

They were among 12 suspects arrested in June by officers from the National Crime Squad.

Legal practices in Blackburn, Earby and Clitheroe were also targeted by police and homes in Barnoldswick, Clitheroe, Padiham and Colne were searched. Computer equipment and documents were taken by police as part of Operation Norfolk, a National Crime Squad probe, which followed the break-up of a drug gang known as The Firm.

The offices of SFN, the new name for Steele Ford and Newton, in Red Lion Street, Burnley, were also searched.

Burnley car dealer Christopher Dean Spokes, 36, of Brennand Street, was arrested earlier this year in Malaga, Spain, and charged with money laundering offences as part of the inquiry. He is due to reappear before magistrates in Preston on January 14.

A spokesman for the National Crime Squad said: "Bail for all those arrested has been extended until January and investigations are ongoing."

Bail will be answered on January 19 or 26.

Investigations into alleged money laundering began after the break-up of The Firm in January 2002. Head of the gang, Mathew Glover, of Foxstones Lane, Cliviger, was sentenced to 25 years behind bars after amassing £3million from drug dealing.

The Firm was said to have accumulated huge profits over years of illegal activity. Glover's associates received jail terms totalling 101 years and in January, Glover had a confiscation order for £370,000 imposed, including the seizure of his house.