THREE people have been arrested after a police raid on a suspected brothel.

The people were detained after 14 police officers, with a sniffer dog, went to Shady Ladies "massage parlour" in Pitville Street, Darwen, with a drugs warrant.

Two women were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the management of a brothel and a man, in his 30s, was arrested outside on suspicion of being in possession of a class A drug.

All three were released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Police said they acted after complaints from residents and councillors about the premises, in the Riverside Business Units, close to a row of terraced houses.

Police said the unit is leased from a private landlord who lives outside the area and is currently liaising with officers.

During the raid, police officers collected computers, telephone records and answer phone messages.

But a spokeswoman at Shady Ladies said it only offered massage and companionship and its services would resume as normal unless police closed it down.

Det Sgt Claire Holbrook said: "We have further inquiries to conduct on the evidence seized and should local residents note any anti-social activity over the coming weeks, they should contact us immediately."

A Shady Ladies receptionist called Michelle said: "We run a clean business here offering massage and men can pay for time and companionship -- that is it.

Only two women permanently work at the premises and it was terrifying when police officers turned up with a sniffer dog to search for drugs. It was totally over the top.

"Myself and another woman were arrested in relation to the warrant, but we were both released on bail and neither of us were charged. The police have been to speak to us several times before so we were completely shocked when they turned up with such force."

She said the man arrested outside the property on suspicion of possessing a class A drug was not connected to Shady Ladies.

But residents said they were relieved action had been taken.

Debbie Jones, 37, of Clifton Street, said she did want to let her six-year-old son play outside.

She said: "From about 11pm to 5am there were big Mercedes, BMWs and all these posh cars coming down the road."

David Seckington, 64, of Dean Street, said: "I think our phone number might be quite similar to their's as we keep getting men phoning up for massages!"

Ward councillor Roy Davies said the premises had been discussed at a meeting with the police, where Insp Andrea Bradbury vowed to get it closed.