HUNDREDS of Ecstasy tablets were recovered when police raided a house in Darlington, a court heard yesterday.

More than 200g of cannabis resin was also found at the address, in Chatsworth Terrace, in January.

Kevin Shields, 23, of Salutation Road, Darlington, and Graeme Hogg, 22, of Chatsworth Terrace, both pleaded guilty to possessing drugs.

Hogg admitted possession of 155 Ecstasy tablets and 238g of cannabis resin, and Shields admitted possessing 72 Ecstasy tablets and 24g of cannabis resin.

David Maddison, prosecuting, said all the tablets were marked with the same five-point star design, suggesting they were from the same batch.

Laura Saunders-Jerrom, in mitigation, for Hogg, said although he had used drugs heavily for several years, he had sought help even before his arrest.

She said: "He never had a clear head to realise where that way of life was leading him, he was constantly in a state of intoxication.

"But now his life is getting back on track, and he wants to remove himself completely from the drug environment and culture.

"Here is a young man who was getting into criminal activity, but is managing to pull himself out."

Graham Ablett, in mitigation for Shields, said the drugs he was found with were for personal use, and he only bought in bulk because of the low price.

Magistrate Susan Snowdon told the men the charges were very serious.

She adjourned sentencing until a later date.