CUSTOMS officers seized a large quantity of alcohol and tobacco during a dawn raid on a Walshaw farm.

The Customs' Local Fraud Unit raided the rented business units on Wednesday. The exact location of the farm has not been revealed pending further investigations.

Goods seized include 80,000 cigarettes, 760 litres of spirits and 35 kilos of hand-rolling tobacco.

Mr Mark Powell of HM Customs and Excise, said: "This excellent result reflects the hard work of customs officers fighting alcohol and tobacco smuggling in the North West.

"This form of smuggling is nothing more than stealing money from the public, money that could and should be better spent on schools and hospitals."

He added: "People who deal in and buy smuggled goods are also cutting off the lifeblood of small off-licences and tobacconists, putting people's jobs at risk. We are determined to put a stop to it."

Customs officers have confirmed that no one has yet been arrested in connection with the discovery of the goods.