HEROIN worth up to £10,000 has been seized in a drugs raid on a block of flats in Southampton.

Detectives, uniformed officers and members of Hampshire police's firearms unit took part in the carefully planned operation at Wharncliffe House in Woolston.

Four people were arrested at the scene, where class A drugs believed to have a street value of between £8,000 and £10,000 were seized.

The operation began on Friday and ended in the arrests at 11am on Saturday.

Led by Det Insp Richard Pearson, head of Bitterne CID, it involved a total of around 25 police officers from across the Southampton area.

Today Det Insp Pearson said: "This was a significant operation involving different police units including firearms officers, members of Bitterne CID and uniformed officers.

"The results show just how seriously we take reports of drugs being brought into our city."

Detectives said the drugs found in a flat at the block in Wharncliffe Road represented a "significant" seizure for police in Southampton.

A man and woman arrested during the operation were due to appear before Southampton magistrates this morning.

Peter Austin, 32, of London, and Jennifer Richards, 23, of Wharncliffe Road, Woolston, are charged with possession of heroin with intent to supply.

Two other men, both from the London area, have been released on bail pending further inquiries.