FIRE crews have discovered a cannabis farm in Farnworth.

Crews from Farnworth were called to St James Street, following reports of a house fire at 6.30am.

Firefighters found the house was unoccupied and filled with cannabis plants before police were called to the scene.

Watch manager Oliver Deller, at Farnworth Fire Station, said: “A member of the public called in after seeing smoke coming from the side of the house.

“There was quite a lot coming from the boiler and they believed it was a house fire.

“When we arrived we realised the house was unoccupied and filled with cannabis plants.

“Police are now in attendance and are working to remove the plants from the property.”

Police have seized the plants and launched an investigation.

Emergency services were called to the same street in the early hours of Saturday morning to deal with a separate incident.

A 56-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of an offence contrary to the Explosives Substances Act and later bailed.