A £500,000 cannabis factory has been discovered by police.

Around 1,000 cannabis plants were unearthed in two flats above a convenience store Leeds Road, Nelson.

Two men have been charged in connection with the find, which followed the execution of a warrant on Monday morning.

The plants, estimated to be worth up to £500 each, were discovered by police at the scene Such was the size and sophistication of the factory, police were still dismantling it yesterday afternoon (TUESDAY).

Officers and forensic investigators could be seen entering and leaving the premises.

Plants were discovered on three separate floors.

The discovery has been welcomed by politicians as 'another step towards eradicating the scourge of drugs from the community'.

Pendle Council leader and Bradley ward councillor Mohammed Iqbal said: "I congratulate the police for finding these drugs. I would also congratulate the community for reporting this activity.

"I urge anybody to report this kind of activity in the future.

"We need to eradicate the scourge of drugs from the community and this is the only way we will achieve it."

A police spokesman said: “We executed a warrant at an address in Leeds Road, Nelson, on Monday and discovered a number of cannabis plants growing.

“Two men found at the address were arrested and charged with cultivating cannabis.”

Yesterday Nam Van Dang, 33, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to producing cannabis at Blackburn Magistrates Court in relation to the incident.

Vinh Vindh Tran, 18, of no fixed address did not indicate a plea to the same charge.

They were both remanded in custody to appear at Burnley Crown Court, Dang on December 8 and Tran on December 7.