A drug addict was warned by a judge to give up heroin - or else he would not reach 40.

Nigel Canning, 37 - who had gone out stealing - told Burnley magistrates he was trying to kick his addiction.

District Judge David Goodman gave him a chance to prove he meant business and warned if he flouted the order he was making, he would go to jail.

The judge told the defendant: "Maybe this is the first step to growing up at 37."

He added the defendant could be guaranteed two things if he carried on taking drugs and offending - he would be going to prison and he would be dead before he got to 40.

The judge continued:" Heroin kills. Make no mistake about that."

Canning, of Hobart Street, Burnley, admitted two counts of stealing from shops and one of failing to surrender.

He was given a 12 month community order, to include the Addressing Substance Related Offending Programme.