FIVE men who plotted to flood the north of England with ecstasy, amphetemines and cannabis have had their prison sentences cut by up to a third.

The men, from East Lancashire, were part of a sophisticated operation which between December 1999 and February 2001 involved a total of £1.6million-worth of the drugs.

They were caught after the National Crime Squad launched an undercover operation - codenamed Norfolk - to smash the network.

The two main men of the Lancashire drugs ring - nicknamed "The Firm" -- failed in their bid to challenge their convictions or to get reductions in sentences of 25 and 17 years respectively.

Matthew Glover, the top man in The Firm, and his second-in-command, Anthony Lockwood, were sentenced along with the others at Preston Crown Court in March.

But other "foot soldiers" in their gang, sentenced for various drugs conspiracy offences, were more successful in having their sentences cut by the Court of Appeal in London.

Judgments on all the appeals were given by Lord Justice Auld, sitting with Mr Justice Aikens and Mr Justice Grigson, who said the original sentences had been "manifestly excessive."

Thomas Harrington, 42, of Hillside Barn, Beverley Road, Blacko, near Nelson, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply ecstasy, amphetemine and cannabis.

His nine-year sentence was reduced to six. Lord Justice Auld said police had planted a listening device in his home and reduced his jail term after accepting defence arguments that his involvement was limited to a two-week period.

John Sawley, 45, of Little Toms Lane, Burnley, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply amphetemine and being concerned in the supply of ecstasy. His jail term of nine years was reduced to seven years after the judges accepted his term was too high for the five kilograms of amphetemine he was involved in.

Paul Davies, 32, of Montgomery Grove, Burnley, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply amphetemine and conspiracy to supply cannabis. The Appeal Court reduced his six year term to four years.

Colin Threlfall, 41, of Bowland Road, Heysham, Morecambe, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply ecstasy. Lord Justice Auld said he had been involved in 50,000 ecstasy tablets worth half a million pounds. His eight year jail term was reduced to six years after the court heard that his basis of plea was that he did not know at first what his courier work involved.

Michael Metcalfe, 46, of Bowland Road, Heysham, pleaded guilty to one charge of conspiracy to supply ecstasy. His nine-year jail term was reduced to seven years.

Glover, 41, of Foxstone Lane, Cliviger, Burnley, who was convicted by a jury of conspiracy to supply ecstasy, amphetemine and cannabis. His total jail term of 25 years remains the same.

Lockwood, 43, of The Chalet, Stock Lane, Middup, Clitheroe, who was also convicted by a jury of the same charges as Glover received a total 17-year term which was also left unchanged by the Appeal Court.