THE son of jailed terror boss Johnny "Mad Dog" Adair has lodged an appeal against his five-year jail sentence for selling heroin and crack cocaine on the streets of Horwich.

Jonathan Adair, aged 19, of Chorley New Road, Horwich, was jailed earlier this year after admitting his role in a "dial-a-drug" operation.

He is believed to be appealing against the length of his jail term on the grounds that he has no previous convictions. The teenager is also expected to make an emotional plea for early release on the grounds that his mother Gina is said to be fighting cancer, according to police sources.

The mother-of-four is undergoing treatment at a Manchester hospital.

Gina Adair, members of her family and supporters fled to Bolton from Northern Ireland early last year following a feud among Ulster paramilitary loyalists.

Her husband, UDA boss Johnny Adair, is still in Maghaberry Prison in Northern Ireland. He was returned to jail two years ago to complete a 16-year sentence for directing terrorism. He had been released under the Good Friday agreement, but his licence was revoked for activities related to Loyalist terrorism.

In April last year, five shots were fired through the front window of the Adair house in Chorley New Road, Horwich. Ulster Freedom Fighters later claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Adair's son, Jonathan, was caught selling heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine to two undercover officers in Bolton during a sting operation during last year.

He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and was sentenced in March at Bolton Crown Court.

Lawyers representing the teenager argued that it was not a major operation and involved small quantities of drugs.

They also claimed he knew he was stupid to have got involved because of the notoriety of his position, and said he promised to change his ways after his release from prison.

It was claimed he was planning to take over the drugs market in Bolton with two accomplices in Horwich, Benjamin Dowie, aged 22, of Poplar Avenue, and William Truesdale, aged 40, of Chorley New Road. They were working alongside Truesdale's brother Ian, who then returned to Northern Ireland last October and was arrested for an unrelated offence.

Officers made test purchases of drugs after contacting the three men on a mobile phone which was registered to Ian Truesdale.

Dowie and William Truesdale were jailed for five and four years respectively. Ian Truesdale was jailed for five years at Bolton Crown Court last month for his role in the drug ring after he returned to the town following his release in Northern Ireland.