A CANNABIS farm described by police as ‘sizeable’ has been discovered at a former gaming arcade in Blackburn town centre.

Dozens of plants were found after around 10 officers raided Campbell’s Amusements, in Lord Street West, yesterday morning.

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Two men were arrested following the operation, which came about after a tip-off from neighbouring properties.

The raid, which took place at 9.30am, saw officers search a loading bay at the rear of the disused two-storey building beside the Corner Pocket Pool Club, backing on to Cardwell Place.

PC Gary Hennighan, who spearheaded the operation, said it was difficult to say how many plants were inside until utilities firms had made the site safe.

He said:: “We have acted on community intelligence at Campbell’s Amusements and executed a warrant. We discovered a sizeable cannabis cultivation and required the utilities companies to make the building and the electrics safe before we could start to look at the extent of it.

“There was someone on the premises to let us in and two people have been arrested on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis, a controlled class B drug.”

PC Hennighan, Blackburn town centre beat manager, praised nearby businesses for alerting officers to the farm.

He said: “The smell coming from the building was pointed out to us by a number of people and we did a bit of digging to secure the warrant.

“We believe the people who had access to the building did so legally but that will be part of the investigation process. The building hasn’t been in use for about 18 months.

“When we come across something like this there are always concerns about electricity and fire risks so we can’t get a proper look straight away. All I can say is that it was sizeable.

“Drugs are a big problem and these operations can only work with the public reporting this kind of behaviour.”

We take it seriously and act upon it.”

Two men from Accrington, aged 53 and 39, were arrested and questioned.