MAGISTRATES have given police permission to retain nearly £25,000 in cash seized during dawn raids.

The move came as seven men and two women appeared in court following Monday's raids, which were part of a major crackdown on drug dealers in Hyndburn.

The orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act were made against Bridget Roberts and Jonathan Mallen, who gave an address in Birtwistle Street, Accrington, from where £13,900 was seized and Nazarat Ali, of Shuttle Close, Accrington, where £11,000 was found.

Roberts, 47, Ali, 26, Keiran Coughlin, 18, of Parker Street, Chorley, and Leanne Dundon, 39, of Delamere Place, Chorley, were all remanded on bail until July 9.

John Gordon, 40, of China Street, Accrington, was granted bail, but the prosecution immediately lodged an appeal which will be heard at Preston Crown Court. Gordon will be kept in custody pending the outcome of the appeal.

Mallen, 27, Morgan Parkinson, 19, of Shuttle Close, Accrington, Simon Swan, 35, of St Peter Street, Blackburn, and Steven Fearn, 51, of Henry Street, Church, were all remanded in custody.

The arrests were the second part of Operation Nimrod during which undercover police posed as drug users and made purchases from people targeted as a result of previously collected intelligence.