A VILLAGE pub was at the centre of a drugs raid by officers as part of a long-running operation to crack down on dealers.

The Warriors Arms, in Front Street, Great Lumley, near Chester-le-Street, County Dur-ham, was raided by officers in riot gear and stab-proof vests shortly after 7am yesterday.

Up to fifty officers raided the premises, along with four houses in High Barnes and Sevenacres, both in Great Lumley, and arrested ten people, including a teenager.

One man was led bare-chested and in handcuffs from the pub by police, as part of the drive to smash a suspected drugs ring after months of intelligence gathering.

The operation began in September after complaints from the public about the supply and use of drugs.

Community Inspector Paul Anderson said: "For some time, the people of Great Lumley have been telling us they were unhappy at the way drugs were easily available in the village.

"These drugs have helped fuel anti-social behaviour both here and in surrounding communities, including Chester-le-Street.

"We are determined to rid our communities of those who cause misery for law-abiding citizens by peddling drugs."

Five people - three women aged 47, 25 and 20, along with two men aged 28 and 34 -were arrested at the Warriors Arms.

A man aged 25 was arrested in Sevenacres, and two women aged 37 and 29, a man of 36 and a male youth aged 17 were arrested in High Barnes.

They were taken to Durham City police station and questioned.

Property seized included a small quantity of cannabis, drugs paraphernalia, mobile phones and television sets.

Inspector Anderson said the people of Great Lumley could expect to see more uniformed officers on the streets in the wake of the operation.

He said: "The action is as a direct result of information received from members of the public, and without their help, it would not have been possible.

"I hope this operation will reassure residents that when they bring matters to our attention, we do look into them and they will continue to support us.

"It does not matter how small the piece of information might seem to them, it could be crucial to an investigation.

"It might be the first or last piece of a jigsaw."

One female resident, who did not want to be named for fear of retribution, said: "We heard banging early on, but we were in bed so we did not get up.

"It was a surprise to get up, draw the curtains and see all the police cars outside, but we had no idea what it was about."