POLICE discovered a cache of weapons, including a snooker cue adapted with 12 nails, when they raided a suspected drugs factory in Blackburn.

Officers recovered the four weapons from a property in Rockcliffe Street, off Highfield Road, in the Infirmary area, in a raid yesterday afternoon.

Police said 16 mature cannabis plants were found in the loft of the home along with sophisticated hydroponic growing equipment.

Sgt Paul Schofield said one of the weapons was found behind the front door of the house and the others were in a bedroom.

He said: "These weapons are clearly highly dangerous and we seized them along with the drugs."

Weapons recovered from the scene also included a three-foot sword, a chair leg which had been modified to be used as a bat, and a pick axe handle.

The weapons have now been destroyed.

Sgt Schofield said: “This warrant was carried out as a result of information from the community and I hope people are reassured that we take their concerns seriously.

“Once again we have taken action to remove cannabis from the streets of Blackburn and destroyed potentially dangerous weapons.

“Neighbourhood policing like this is our day-to-day business and the teams continue to make a real difference for our communities all year round.

"It is all about working together to reduce long term issues and give communities confidence in their public services.”

A 39-year-old local woman was arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and also for possessing a small amount of amphetamines.