POLICE who forced entry to a Darwen house at 6am arrested a man in relation to terrorism matters.

Blackburn magistrates heard when officers searched they house they found knuckledusters, a disguised knife, two extendable batons and a flick knife.

The court was told the terrorism matters went no further but Matthew Rawcliffe admitted ownership of the weapons.

Rawcliffe, 25, of Gadfield Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to four charges of possessing an offensive weapon in a private place. He was remanded on bail until November 4 for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Jade Coleman, prosecuting, said Rawcliffe was arrested and the house searched.

"A large number of weapons were found in his bedroom and they were seized," said Miss Coleman. "Ultimately no charges were brought in relation to terrorism matters."

Damien Pickup, defending, said it was important he made it clear the items subject to the charges had been inherited by his client.

"They were stored away under his bed and had been there for a long time," said Mr Pickup. "In no way were they connected with anything he was arrested for."

Mr Pickup said his client had spent a number of days in custody and faced extensive questioning.

"At the end of it no charges were brought other than the ones my client faces today," he said.

Mr Pickup said the legislation under which the charges were brought only came into force in July.

"Clearly it is an offence to possess items of this nature in public and my client knew that," said Mr Pickup.

"He wasn't aware that under the new legislation it was an offence to posses them in his own house."