DRUG related offences are on the increase in the borough.

Over the past two years there has been a significant rise in such cases being heard at Bolton Magistrates Court.

Following a 27pc increase in 1995 for possessing drugs, there was a further similar increase in 1996.

Peter Dawson, Bolton's Clerk to the Justices, spoke of the increase in the Bolton Magistrates Court's annual report.

He said: "This supports the perception that many of us have that more and more offences coming before magistrates are in fact drug related."

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