CANNABIS valued at around £150,000 has been seized from a disused factory in Oswaldtwistle.

The plants were found alongside a ‘sophisticated’ set-up in a first floor warehouse following a drugs raid at Vine Mill in Brookside Street.

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Specialists, including intelligence and operators support officers, were joined by neighbourhood bobbies for several hours on Thursday as they seized the evidence.

A spokesman said: “This was the result of community information. We would like to thank Oswaldtwistle residents for their help.

“The team is still investigating but we have not made any arrests yet.”

Thursday’s bust marked the second drugs find in 18 months at the mill complex.

A £24,000 farm was found in an old lift shaft there last year.

More than 40 mature plants and 54 seedlings were found by workmen who alerted police on January 7.

Officers later found cannabis hung out to dry, a lighting system, two transformers, and electric fans.

Town councillor Peter Britcliffe said he had received several complaints about suspicious cars and vans travelling in the area, but was surprised to hear a raid had found so many plants.

He said: “I’m totally shocked there was a thriving cannabis farm in Oswaldtwistle.

“I hear about people growing it in their bedroom but this was drugs production on a massive scale.

“It’s good it has been discovered and I hope the people behind it will be brought to task.

“Everybody needs to be vigilant at all times and should report anything suspicious because there is a drugs industry right on our doorstep.”

Cannabis plants are indigenous to central and south Asia, and require a warm set up to thrive in the UK.

They produce chemicals called cannabinoids, which produce mental and physical effects when consumed, primarily in a cigarette with tobacco but sometimes in baked goods.

It is the most widely used illegal drug in the country, accounting for 67 per cent of all drug offences in 2013/14, and is classified as class B.

It is against the law to possess, grow, distribute or sell in the UK with a license.