FOUR men and three women have been arrested by police in South Tyneside investigating the supply of illegal drugs.

The suspects were arrested on Tuesday following raids on homes in the Chichester and Westoe areas.

A quantity of drugs, believed to be heroin, was recovered along with drug taking and dealing equipment.

One man, James Wilson, 40, of Beach Road, South Shields, was charged with supplying heroin and will appear before South Tyneside Magistrates' Court today. The others arrested have been bailed pending further inquiries.