A ‘STASH’ thought to contain drugs was discovered hidden inside a hollow in a stone wall.

Local councillor Zoe Kirk-Robinson discovered the hiding place while discussing anti-social behaviour in the area with local residents in Bolton Road, Westhoughton.

The Westhoughton North and Chew Moor representative noticed a plastic bag - similar in size to a sandwich bag - hidden in a hole in the wall where a brick had been prized out.

She says she called the police on the 101 non-emergency number and was told not to touch the package, which she suspected contained drugs.

“It was quite a surprise to find it hidden so brazenly,” Cllr Kirk-Robinson said.

“I was informed of a group of suspicious people who keep going to the retaining wall near the old water tower.

“I investigated the wall and discovered a stash of drugs. Cllr Christine Wild then checked another part of the wall and found another stash of drugs.”

The wall is close to the end of Bolton Road, near the junction with Calver Hey Close.

Fellow Conservative representative Cllr Wild said the discovery on Saturday afternoon followed a number of complaints about anti-social behaviour in the area reported to councillors by residents.

She said: “There have been problems with anti-social behaviour in that area. While we are walking around handing out leaflets you can see people sat in cars watching us. It’s quite intimidating.”

While the pair waited for police to arrive, Cllr Kirk-Robinson said she noticed a vehicle pull up by the wall close to one of the spots where the pair had found the stash. The car stayed there for some time and was still parked on the street with people inside it when the councillors left.

A police spokesman said they were unaware of the issue.