BURNLEY police swooped on drug dealers in Duke Bar early today. Raids were carried out at six addresses in the early hours of the morning with five men and four women arrested.

All are due to be questioned later today.

The operation involving more than 80 officers was part of Lancashire Police's Operation Nimrod and followed an intelligence gathering phase that lasted several months.

Police said the operation was focused on the Duke Bar area of the town.

Detective Inspector Mark Maxlow said: "We have identified the drug menace as being a public priority and one of the main reasons why many who are drug dependent commit other crimes.

"We had a great deal of support from the local community and many of our partner organisations.

"The majority of residents in Burnley are decent people who tell us time and again they do not welcome the criminal minority in their midst . We are determined to break the link between drugs and crime. We want to make it very clear that if you deal in drugs, you will be caught."