Two men have been arrested after police uncovered a large cannabis farm consisting of more than 300 plants.

On Thursday evening, officers in Darwen were sent to an empty shop on Bolton Road, close to Belgrave Road, after receiving reports that three people were trying to break into the property.

Police attended shortly after 8pm just as one of the individuals was running from the scene.

As officers went to check the premise they found it had already been opened and on inspection discovered a large cannabis set up spread across the ground floor and first floor.

A spokesperson for the police said: "We discovered around 300 plants spread over two floors and made two arrests.

"A 21-year-old man from Darwen and a 20-year-old man of no fixed address have both been arrested on suspicion of cannabis cultivation and are currently in custody."

The cannabis set-up is in the process of being dismantled by the police.