SNIFFER dogs are to patrol pubs and clubs in Blackburn town centre to root out dealers and users.

They will initially be sent into bars before they open to highlight areas where dealing is suspected before making random sweeps during busy periods on Friday and Saturday nights.

The scheme will be run by Blackburn with Darwen Council, with the support of local landlords, and follows the success of a project piloted by First Leisure, which runs Blackburn's Utopia nightclub.

It is one of a number of initiatives being promoted by Blackburn with Darwen Council under the title of 'Dance Safe,' due to be launched in October.

Maureen Bateson, executive member for citizen and consumer affairs at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "We are trying to make the town centre a safer place so people feel happier coming here at night.

"Tackling drugs with the police is an important element of that.

"We have spoken to publicans about this project and they are supportive of it.

"They will spot where drugs have been used and help us identify people with drugs on them."

A private firm which specialises in providing sniffer dogs will be hired and staff will alert police when they find drugs.

Denise Johnson, manager of environmental health at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "We hope that the dogs will be able to sweep through premises and point out corners which are being used for drugs.

"We can then point out the problems areas to managers and encourage them to install lighting there.

"Basically, the dogs can help us design out the drug problem."

Paul Cunliffe, manager at Utopia nightclub, said: "Our parent company send the dogs in unannounced and they do a sweep of the building before we open and then stay during the night identifying people with drugs on them.

"Anyone caught with drugs on them will have them taken off them and an arrest will be made."

It is hoped that the scheme will complement the police's crackdown on drug dealers throughout Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley.

So far, this year 228 people have been arrested for drug-related offences, up from 196 last year.

The majority of them are alleged to have been involved in the sale or possession for Class A drugs such as ecstasy.

Andy Pratt, who co-ordinates Blackburn with Darwen Council's Drug Action Town, said: "This scheme fits in with our multi-agency approach to getting rid of drugs in the borough.

"It sends out a clear message to support drug education that drugs are not acceptable."

Ecstasy tablets are being sold for £3 in Blackburn and wraps of heroin for as little as £5.