A PRISON officer who hid wraps of heroin in his shoes to sell to inmates is starting a six-year prison sentence.

Norman Egerton, aged 40, was found with 147 wraps of the drug -- worth a total of £2,340 -- when he was arrested as he turned up for a shift at Forest Bank prison in March.

Police say he could have sold the drugs for as much as £7,000 in the Agecroft jail because of heroin's high value behind bars.

At Minshull Street Crown Court, Egerton, of Burdale Drive, Irlams o'th' Height, pleaded guilty to possessing a class A drug with intent to supply.

Det Sgt Russ Kelly, who led the investigation which led to Egerton's arrest, said: "This sentence reflects the seriousness of Egerton's actions and, by his own admission, he was extremely foolish.

"He betrayed the trust bestowed in him as a prison officer and totally abused his position to make money for himself.

"He would have been well aware that the cost of drugs within prisons are around three times more expensive to buy than they are on the streets and he took advantage of this.

"I would like this case to be used as warning to other people in similar professions who think that they are above the law."