POLICE are hunting a man who fled the scene of a cannabis factory when he saw police had uncovered the drugs.

The man returned to a house in Redlam, Blackburn, and ran off when he saw officers searching the house almost a month ago.

Officers had been alerted to the address because of an unpaid electricity bill. United Utilities sought a warrant and its officers forced entry to the house so the power could be disconnected.

But they ended up having to alert police to the suspected cannabis factory. Officers seized around 30 plants on Tuesday, March 20, which were later destroyed.

Officers arrested a 48-year-old Blackburn man on suspicion of intent to supply class C drugs.

He was later released without charge.

The suspect who fled the scene is described as 6ft tall, slim, with straggly hair and wearing a light coloured bomber jacket with a fur hood.

He had a black collie type dog with him.

A spokesman for Blackburn police said: "We are still keen to speak to this man who was seen running from the scene.

"We need eliminate him from our inquiries and would urge anybody who has any information or who knows of this persons whereabouts to contact us."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Blackburn police on 01254 51212 ring the Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111.