A MACHINE that detects knives was used in East Lancashire for the first time as part of a police crackdown on alcohol-related crime.

Set up at Soprano's bar in Great Harwood on Friday night, the mobile metal detector was used as part of an operation which saw police officers visit six pubs in Hyndburn with a sniffer dog.

The dog discovered two small bags containing what police believe were illegal substances which have now been sent for analysis.

The high-profile operation was organised through the area's Pub Watch scheme and Sergeant Ian Corbett, who led the bar patrol, said it had been a success.

He said: "The detector was the first of its kind in Lancashire and it was received very well by everybody at the bar.

"The fact that no weapons were found shows that we are sending out a strong message to those thinking about carrying one.

"Some substances were found in two of the other pubs but they have been sent away for testing."

The night of patrol was a pre-cursor to Operation Summer Nights which will be launched next month and has been running annually for the past two years.

The aim of the Summer Nights operation is to reduce crime and disorder in and around bars in the county.

Licensing officer Les Sholicar, who was also out on Friday's operation, said: "This has been carried out because we'd discussed it at Pub Watch meetings for years.

"We have the Summer Nights operation starting in July and August, so this was something before then to show landlords what was on offer to them.

"It also helps them when they are trying to run a good pub.

"It was aimed at all aspects of alcohol-related crime and disturbances.

"The dog picked up a couple of packages that we seized."