POLICE have stopped more than 500 ecstasy tablets from reaching the streets of Wootton Bassett.

Officers stopped two teenagers in the town's High Street early on Saturday morning and found they were carrying eight ecstasy tabs between them.

A check of their vehicle uncovered a further 60 tabs and a subsequent search of one of the pair's home revealed a stash of 500.

Sgt Andy Fortune said: "It's quite a haul. If tests confirm it is ecstasy it will be worth between £2,500 and £3,000.

"We acted after we received some information that these men were seen to be in possession.

"They were initially arrested on suspicion of possession of a class A controlled drug but following the search of the home address they were re-arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply because you don't have 500 for personal use."

The two arrested, aged 19 and 17, have been released on police bail pending further inquiries. The pair, who are both from Wootton Bassett, are due to return to the police station later this month. Sgt Fortune said: "It's a good job for us to get these off the streets.

"It's a significant haul of drugs. Bearing in mind we found 60 in the car we believe these persons are involved in the dealing of drugs.

"That's still to be proven but the fact that they had potentially in excess of 500, that's 500 tabs that would have been on the streets of Wootton Bassett.

"They are off the streets now and we all know the dangers of ecstasy so it's a very good job."

In April, 19-year-old John Cadwallader, who was caught with 100 ecstasy tablets and an extendable baton, was given a last chance to avoid prison.

The teenager, of Davis House, Turl Street, was given a suspended sentence in September but breached the conditions twice.

Instead of invoking the jail term Judge Gordon White told him to complete the unpaid work he had to do and undertake an education, training and work programme.

In February Neil Sanderson, 28, was jailed for nine months after he was caught selling ecstasy tablets in the Brunel Rooms nightclub.Sanderson, of White Lion Park, Malmesbury, was found to have 41 tablets in the club on a Saturday night.