NINE people were arrested in possession of offensive weapons and drugs near an East Lancashire nightclub.

Police targeted the Wood Street area of Great Harwood, close to Monroes Club, on Saturday night.

The operation was the latest in a series of similar events over the last two months and officers searched more than 210 people heading for the nightspot.

Inspector Stuart Bruce, of Blackburn police, said: "This is an on-going operation to address issues of public concern in Great Harwood."

Inspector John O'Reilly, of Great Harwood Police, added: "We had the first Operation Escort in December and confiscated lots of weapons and drugs. We left it over Christmas but in January we found more drugs and more weapons so we thought we would carry on."

More than 160 people were searched and nine people arrested in a police raid on the rave club late last year.

Police officers swooped on the club during Operation Escort after incidents outside the premises.

Inspector Bruce said that some of the nine arrested on Saturday had been charged with a variety of offences.

Ian Jackson, owner of the club, said: "They say it's helping to get rid of undesirables. It's not deterring people in any great numbers. It inconveniences them and it certainly doesn't lend itself to good relations with people. We don't know of any locals that have complained; there are no houses near the club."