Two women who blamed each other when they were caught drug dealing in Canterbury have been jailed.

Police received an anonymous call about drug dealing taking place in Alfred Close, Canterbury, in a red Vauxhall.

When officers stopped the car on January 12, Lauren Chilver, 21, of Kingsholm Gardens, Eltham, was sitting on a small bag of herbal cannabis and had 19 wraps of heroin hidden in her clothes.

Chilver told officers she had been looking after the class A drugs for a woman called Carrie Anne Short, who in turn had been looking after Chilver’s dog while she was visiting Canterbury.

Short, 36, of Alfred Close, was subsequently arrested and denied the drugs were hers, making a counter-allegation that Chilver was dealing the drugs.

The pair were both charged by police for drugs offences and were each sent to prison for 18 months at Canterbury Crown Court last week.

Chilver pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply a Class A drug and possession of a Class B drug, while Short pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

Detective Sergeant Richard Allen said: "Chilver and Short may have been working together but when questioned, were quick to blame each other.

"Officers were able to act quickly based on information provided by members of the public and now neither of them are able to peddle their illegal trade in Canterbury.

"I would ask anyone who believes drug dealing is taking place in their street to contact us so proportionate action can be taken."