Police are appealing for information after a cannabis farm was discovered at a property in Bolton following a fire at the end of last year.

The stash was discovered at a home on James Street, Little Lever, after a blaze broke out there.

Emergency services rushed to the scene on the evening of Friday, December 30 and fire services spent more than three hours extinguishing the flames.

Police attended and discovered a stash of drugs.

The following day officers returned to the scene and removed the drugs.

A nearby neighbour said his wife’s health was affected as the smoke came through into their home.

He said: “It was cannabis that they found.

“Police were here with the fire brigade and paramedics.

“It made my wife ill because the fumes came through.

“Two vans came back the next day and took it all out in plastic bags.

“The house got sold and the people moved to Spain.

“We thought they were builders going in.”

The home has since been boarded up.

No arrests have been reported.

A police spokesperson said: "On Friday, December 30, 2022 at around 10pm, Greater Manchester Police received a report of concern regarding a property on James Street, Bolton.

"Officers attended and found cannabis being produced.

"An investigation is still ongoing with no arrests made.

"GMP would like members of the public to continue to report incidents of this nature and if anyone has any information that may help with ongoing enquiries are asked to call 101 quoting 3,022 of December 30."

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they had been in attendance.

A spokesperson said: “Just before 10.30pm on Friday, December 30), three fire engines from Whitefield and Farnworth fire station were called to reports of a Building fire involving a property on James Street, Little Lever.

 “The crews arrived quickly at scene. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used breaking in gear, a hose reel and a dry power extinguisher to extinguish the fire.

“Firefighters were in attendance for around three and a half hours.”