POLICE who attended a Darwen address after a report of men wielding machetes could smell cannabis as soon as the front door was opened.

Blackburn magistrates heard that a search of the address revealed a small cannabis production set-up and the remains of a crop.

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Barbara Ellen Taylor, 41, of Olive Lane, Darwen, admitted producing cannabis. She was given a conditional discharge for two years and told to pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said when police discovered the cannabis set-up Taylor said she grew it for her own use.

Alexander Rostron, defending, said the police were called because a neighbour had seen men with machetes.

“In fact, those men had been into the house and taken the plants,” he said. “My client had decided to grow her own to avoid contact with street dealers.

“People hear about these things and it has caused her a great deal of trouble.”