POLICE uncovered a cannabis farm during an early morning raid.

Between 40 and 50 cannabis plants were discovered at a house in Patterson Street, Deane, yesterday morning.

Neighbours say they have had suspicions that the house was being used to grow drugs for months, and that they saw people trying to break into the property on Wednesday night.

A police spokesman confirmed: “Police received a report at 11.30pm on Wednesday, March 15, that entry had been forced to a property on Patterson Street in Bolton.

“Officers attended and discovered between 40 and 50 cannabis plants. One man was arrested.”

Police smashed down the door to the house, which was boarded up on Thursday morning, and were at the scene until around 11am.

Neighbour Jacqui Jones said: “We have been reporting this for six months and we knew someone was going to break in there one day.

“The smell wasn’t just like walking past someone smoking a joint, it was everywhere.

“The police came in a massive armoured van and took away about 20 black bin bags full of cannabis plants.

“I have seen people coming and going regularly from that house, but I don’t think anyone lives there.

“This is a very deprived area, but it is also a very tight-knit community and we don’t want things like this in our street.”

Another Patterson Street resident, who asked not to be named, added: “I was up at 4am and I saw the police.

“I have never seen anyone at that house and I always thought it was strange.

“I have definitely smelled cannabis in the air before.”