PHOTOGRAPHS show a cannabis farm discovered by firefighters which had a street value of up to £150,000.

Police released images of the 300-plant farm which was spread over five basement rooms of an empty terrace in Halliwell Road.

One plant is worth approximately £400 to £500, meaning the farm had a street value of between £120,000 and £150,000.

The farm was exposed after a blaze broke out on Saturday night when diverted electricity supplies overheated and smoke began seeping through the floor of the laundrette next door.

Firefighters were called to the Blue Lagoon Ironing & Laundry Service at 1.15pm because staff could smell burning and see smoke coming through the floorboards and carpet.

When crews broke down the door of the property next door they discovered a blaze in the basement which had spread into the joists under the floor of the house.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “We were called to a premises in Halliwell Road shortly after 1pm on Sunday afternoon by firefighters who were dealing with a fire there. No one has been arrested and enquiries are ongoing.”

Firefighters from Bolton Central, Bolton North and Farnworth fire stations tackled the blaze.

The fire burned through an electricity mains cable and Electricity North West were called out to make the wiring safe. A spokesman said there was no widespread power loss.

A spokesman for Electricity North West said: “Our engineers attended an address in Halliwell Road this afternoon at the request of the fire service.

“An electricity supply cable had suffered damage, and we made the situation safe by disconnecting the property.”

Staff and about six customers were evacuated from Blue Lagoon, and no one was injured.

Kamal Mohammadi, the business’ owner, said he never suspected criminal activity was taking place next door and said nothing like this had happened before since he opened his doors in 1997.

He said: “I realised it was very serious when I could see smoke actually coming up through the carpet, so I called 999.

“We always thought the property was vacant and unlived in, but very occasionally we got the impression someone had been in the premises.

“I have no idea when the cannabis farm was set up, it is a mystery to us.

“It caused a temporary disruption to my business as we had to turn off the electricity and the smell of smoke is lingering in the premises.”

Police are currently investigating the blaze and anyone with information should call 101.