A JOINER who had 18 ecstasy tablets when he was searched by nightclub doormen told police he had found them on the floor of a pub.

Burnley magistrates heard how David James Harris, 21, had the drugs, worth £180, in a tube when bouncers searched him as he was entering The Works nightclub in Burnley.

Harris, of Slaidburn Avenue, Burnley, admitted possessing a class A controlled drug and was fined £125, with £65 costs. He was told by the bench they hoped he had learned his lesson and he should try and keep on the straight and narrow from now on.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said a doorman asked the defendant to empty his pockets.

Police were called after a tube of tablets believed to be ecstasy was found. Harris was interviewed three times and said he had found the tablets on the floor in Paradise Island, Burnley, and forgotten about them.

Rachel Hodgson, defending, said Harris had worked since school, was a joiner at James Ashworth and had a settled lifestyle.

He admitted he knew it was more than likely the tablets were ecstasy. He had used the drug on a recreational basis once or twice in the past and accepted he would have taken the tablets over a period of time.

Mrs Hodgson told the court Harris said he had been drunk and could not exactly remember where he found the tablets. He had forgotten about them or he would not have tried to get into the nightclub with them. He would not have planned to pass them to anybody else.

The solicitor added the defendant was a young man of great promise and could make a valuable contribution to society.