A cannabis farm with over 300 plants posed a 'huge fire risk'.

Police found the plants and equipment on Hammerton Street in Burnley town centre above some shops.

Working with the fire service, officers found the cultivation with water leaking down through the ceiling into the electrics of several shops below causing a 'huge fire risk'.

A spokesperson for the Burnley neighbourhood policing team said: "The site was a huge fire risk, as water from the cultivation was leaking down through the ceiling into the electrics of several shops below.

"The offenders have no regard for the safety of the shop workers or their customers.

"The water damage has also had a significant effect on the business owners below, which, with the added financial pressure of Covid, could be difference between a business thriving or failing."

An investigation is ongoing and police ask that people contact them on burnley.npt@lancashire.police.uk or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 if they have any information about this incident or any other possible cannabis farms in the area.