A MOTHER of three was said to have swallowed a bag of heroin when she was spotted by police.

Susan Howarth, 36, ran off when approached by officers who went to arrest her after they saw an exchange between her and another woman, Burnley magistrates heard.

Howarth, of Reed Street, Burnley, admitted possessing heroin. She was given a six month community order with supervision but the bench made no order for costs.

Nick Cassidy, defending, said Howarth had had a drug addiction for 11 years but was making efforts to beat it.