Preston men arrested after Lancashire Police discover Morecambe cannabis farm inside former Barclays Bank

Three men from Preston were arrested after police discovered a large cannabis farm inside an old bank in Morecambe.

Described as a ‘large scale grow', officers found the cannabis plants inside the former Barclays Bank in Euston Road, which closed in 2020.

Police said the men, aged 21, 39 and 48, were found inside the building where the cannabis was being cultivated.

Police gained entry into the five-storey Grade II listed building on Tuesday (January 2) following a tip-off from the community. Evidence was also found that the electricity had been bypassed.

Two men, aged 21 and 39, from Preston, were arrested on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis and have since been released under investigation.

A third man, 48, from Preston, was arrested on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis and has been released on bail.

Lancashire Police said all the cannabis plants have since been destroyed and the electrics have been made safe.

PC Foster, of Lancashire Police, said: "We will continue to target this type of criminal activity and appreciate any information, no matter how small you think it could be."