SUSPECTED crack cocaine dealers have been arrested during a police raid on a house in a village near Darlington.

Drugs squad officers stormed the home in Middleton St George at 11.30pm on Wednesday night - only days after making arrests at an address in the town centre.

Officers with warrants arrested six people at the house in Neasham Road on suspicion of being involved in the supply of the Class A drug.

Police revealed last night that a second address - in Grainger Street, in Darlington's Bank Top area - was raided on Monday, with another four arrests.

"We have a dedicated, active team targeting the supply of drugs in the town," said a police spokeswoman.

"We would encourage members of the public to get in touch with us if they have any suspicions about drug-related activity in their area.

"They can be assured we will act on as much information as we can."

Six people - four men and two women - were taken into custody after the swoop on the terraced house in Middleton St George. Police seized what is believed to be crack cocaine, cash and mobile phones.

One man is understood to be in his early 50s, with the other five in their early to mid-20s.

On Monday night, officers launched a surprise raid at a property in Grainger Street shortly before 11pm. They arrested two men and two women on suspicion of dealing crack cocaine. About £300 worth of the drug was seized.

One of the women is in her mid-30s and the second is in her late 30s. The men - who are in their early 40s - have been interviewed and bailed pending forensic analysis.

The raids were carried out as part of an intelligence-led operation involving about 20 police officers. Further investigations are believed to be ongoing.