A cannabis factory with an estimated street value of £72,000 has been found at a flat in Preston.

Officers acting on information from the local community executed a drugs warrant and swooped on the property in Margaret Street on Monday morning. Inside they discovered a cannabis cultivation set up with approximately 180 plants.

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No arrests have been made at this time and inquiries are ongoing.

Detective Inspector Gareth Willis from Preston police said: “This was a significant find and has prevented a large amount of drugs from making their way onto the streets of Preston.

“I’d like to thank the local community for making us aware of this problem and would urge them to keep coming forward with any concerns that they may have about drugs and drug dealing in their neighbourhoods.

“We will always seek to take action on any information provided.”

Police are appealing for information following a robbery which was carried out during a power cut at bookmakers in Preston.

Between 9pm and 9.15pm on Sunday 27 November, a group of three men entered Betfred on Blackpool Road.

Just minutes earlier a power cut had resulted in all the lights going off and once inside the men demanded money from the lone female manager.

The 51 year old refused to hand any over and one of the men jumped over the counter and pushed her aside before stealing some cash and making off with the other men. They were all dressed in dark clothing with facial coverings.

Detective Constable Les Clegg said: “Thankfully the woman didn’t suffer any serious physical harm, but she was left shaken by what had happened.

“We are following a number of lines of enquiry, one of which is whether or not the power cut was somehow linked to the robbery.

“If anybody was in the area at the time and saw anything suspicious or has any information at all about this robbery then I would urge them to contact police.”

A 19 year old man from Preston has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and has been released on bail pending further enquiries.