Two men have been arrested over robbery, weapons and drugs offences by police searching for poachers.

On Thursday evening, rural task force officers in Rossendale were on patrol in Worsthorne after receiving reports from local residents about poaching up on the hills.

Officers say that the previous week, a deer was found dead on the hills, and suspect it had been attacked by dogs.

While police stopped and searched one van and a 4x4, it was later in the evening that they made arrests after they came across two men wanted for a robbery in Burnley.

A spokesperson for the police said: "Rural Task Force officers have this evening been on high visibility patrol in Worsthorne after community concerns about poaching up on the hills.

"Last week a deer was found dead and suspected to have been attacked by dogs.

"Officers have stopped and searched one van suspected to be involved in poaching, while another 4x4 suspected to be involved in poaching failed to stop for officers and was lost.

"Later in the evening the Rural Team located two males who were wanted for a robbery in Burnley.

"After a search they were arrested for robbery, going equipped to steal, possession of offensive weapons and possession of class A drugs.

"We will continue to target this area and urge members of the public to report these matters to us."

Police are urging people to keep up to date with what the Rural Task Force do by signing up for Lancashire Talking.

For more information on that, visit the police website.