A man has been sentenced to eight years in prison after cocaine with a street value of up to £100,000 was found in his home.

Callum Lidder, aged 22, of Holly Lane, Harpenden, appeared before St Albans Crown Court on Friday.

On May 21 last year, armed police searched Lidder's hire car, an Audi, which was parked outside his home. A black holdall containing a sawn off shotgun and five cartridges was found in the boot. Officers then searched his bedroom and found a large package hidden inside a drum kit, which was later found to be cocaine with a street value of up to £100,000.

Police intelligence had led them to believe that Lidder was in possession of a gun.

Lidder, who had become involved in an organised crime group, was arrested later the same day after being tracked down in a vehicle travelling on the M1.

Lidder pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition for a firearm without a certificate, and possession with intent to supply Class A drugs (cocaine).

Detective Constable Barry Townson, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “If we receive intelligence to suggest someone is in possession of a weapon, then we will take action.

“Thanks to the information we received, another gun and more illegal drugs were removed from the streets of Hertfordshire. If you have information about criminal activity in your area, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We will listen and we will do our best to make your community safer.”