A FORMER landlady of a Blackburn pub has admitted growing cannabis plants in the living quarters.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Lisa Harrison started smoking cannabis as she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown because the Clog and Billycock, Pleasington, was failing.

And she started to grow her own because she was unhappy about having to buy from dealers, the court was told.

Harrison, 41, of Springfield Terrace, Cherry Tree, Blackburn, admitted cultiv-ating cannabis.

She was comm-itted on bail for sentence at Preston Crown Court.

A charge of possessing amphet-amine with intent to supply, which had originally been directed to the Crown Court, was discharged.

Neil White, prosecuting, said Harrison was arrested after the execution of a drugs search warrant at the pub in August.

A large part of the kitchen in the upstairs living quarters had been set up as a cannabis cultivating facility with specialised heating and lighting, the court was told.There were 38 plants between two feet and four feet. There was also a black bin liner containing foliage which had been harvested, the court heard.

Mr White said four more plants were found in the cellar but they had died.

Deborah Morgan, defending, said her client had no previous convictions.

She had been licensee of the Clog and Billycock for about two years at the time of the raid.

"She had no experience as a landlady when she took over the pub, which was not doing well, and she wanted to see if she could get it back on track," said Miss Morgan.

"She wanted to make a career of it but running the pub virtually on her own took its toll.

"She was close to a nervous breakdown and was considering ending the tenancy which would have left her with considerable debts."