A MASSIVE cannabis factory that may have supplied drugs across East Lancashire has been uncovered by police in a dramatic swoop.

Officers found around 800 plants in a sophisticated 'cultivation farm' after raiding the former shop in a busy Clayton-le-Moors road.

Armed response officers were among the team from Accrington and Great Harwood police stations who raided the address in Whalley Road and arrested a 37-year-old man. He was released on police bail.

In the house officers found plants which could have been intended for drug users across the region, ranging from small seedlings to waist-high plants estimated at three months old.

Detectives believe they may also be a form of super-strength cannabis known as Skunk - which is grown under high-powered lights with heating and watering systems.

The massive haul is estimated to have a street value of up to £30,000.

PC Jason Manning, community beat manager for Clayton-le-Moors, said: "We have had surveillance on the property for three months, resulting in one person being arrested and over 700 cannabis plants being seized.

"It's a cultivation farm. There are over 700 plants that have been cultivated up to chest height.

"It's a professional set-up with all the generators, heaters and lights."

The farm was being run in a deserted shop, once home to plumbing, heating, joining and building contractors Colin Bibby Ltd.

Officers said Mr Bibby now has nothing to do with the premises, which he left a number of years.

Locals had become suspicious of the address when people were spotted visiting the derelict property, and called the Crimestoppers hotline, alerting officers.

When police carried raided the property they found rooms on every floor converted for use, with its own power supply and air conditioning.

Those responsible for the factory had even installed their own fuse box so as not to overload the mains supply. One local business owner today expressed his surprise drugs were being grown across the road.

Saddiq Mohammed, 45, boss of Altham Cars taxi firm, said: "I had no idea anything was going on.

"I had never seen any activity over there at all. I saw the police cars pull up, and they went in with the battering ram.

"About 10 minutes later they walked out with the bloke."

PC Manning added: "From a cultivation point of view, it's massive. To get them to chest height you're looking at 12 weeks of care and treatment.

"You cannot just stick them there and leave them. They have got to be fed and watered every day."