SIXTY police officers burst into a Blackburn pub during a major drugs raid this evening.

The officers had travelled in a 12-strong van convoy to The Farthings, in Rosewood Avenue, Roe Lee.

All the officers ran around 200 yards down a hill from their vehicles before entering the pub by both front and back doors.

The officers, who were in full riot gear, then shouted for customers to stay where they were and keep their hands on the tables.

There were about 40 customers, including a small number of children, in the pub when it was raided at about 7.30pm.

Sniffer dogs were then positioned at both doors and the police searched a number of people before arresting two people.

One woman who was in the pub at the time, but did not want to be named, said: “I hardly ever come out for a drink and was meeting family in the pub.

“I thought it was a strippergram at first.

“After the initial shock we were told to put our hands on the table and it was all very controlled.

“We were only held for 15 minutes before they let us go but they were searching other customers.

“I think it is absolutely admirable what the police have done, there are a lot of drugs in the area.

Another customer, who had two young children with her, said: “My children were scared, my youngest wet herself.

“They told us they were looking for drugs and I understand that it has to be done.”

Police said they had received calls from residents complaining about drug dealing in the pub.

Superintendent Pete Lawton said: “There has been a lot of planning into this operation and it has gone the way we wanted it to.

“It is reinforcing the message that if people tell us about drug dealing we will do something about it.

“We have had a lot of good feedback from customers inside the pub on the night and local residents and those being searched were compliant.”

A closure order was issued for the pub and a dozen police officers are expected to remain there late into the night conducting a finger-tip search.

The raid follows other high profile operations in Blackburn designed to target the drugs trade.

In October, 40 police officers descended on the Brownhill Arms, Whalley New Road and made eight arrests.