A sophisticated drugs gang have been jailed for dealing thousands and pounds worth of heroin and crack on four Battersea housing estates.

Eleven gang members were arrested after undercover officers bought drugs in the Doddington, Patmore, Surrey Lanes and Winstanley estates in Battersea last year.

Ringleader Terry Clarke, 27, of McDermott Close, Rashane Wilson, 21, of Lavender Road, and Dillan Francis, of Sherwood Avenue, Streatham, were sent down for seven years each for selling drugs.

Jordan Joseph, 19, of Westbridge Road, and Samuel Tyre, of Ingrave Street, both in Batterse,a were sentenced to more than two years each, while Stefan Miller, of no fixed address, was jailed for four years and 10 months.

Five youths aged 15 to 18, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were also handed prison sentences of up to three years.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard the gang was originally formed in the 1980s and used Clarke's flat to cut up drugs, which was guarded by dogs.

The crackdown, known as Operation Gorgas, began in November 2010 and lead to officers raiding a number of houses.

Older gang members organised how drugs were bought and sold, while younger members acted as runners.

Officers watched the gang sell drugs to students, professionals and children, operating in places ranging from Surrey University and outside primary schools.

Detectives believe the network was running for at least six years, selling heroin and crack for between £10 and £1,000 at a time.

The judge praised officers from the London Crime Squad for their "hard work and diligence" when giving the sentence.

Acting Detective Inspector John Harrison, from the London Crime Squad, said: "Operation Gorgas was an in-depth investigation into complex drug dealing network involving gang crime across Wandsworth.

"The investigation identified drug markets extending into Surrey. We are very pleased with the sentencing and see it as the culmination of extensive efforts by officers across the MPS working together to tackle drug crime in London."