Police arrested five people after the discovery of an alleged cannabis farm last week in Birkenhead.

Just before 5pm on Tuesday, February 22, officers attended the North Star pub on Laird Street.

After a search of the premises, officers discovered an alleged cannabis farm in one of the rooms above the premises.

Four men, aged 23, 31, 47 and 51, and a 30-year-old woman were arrested at the scene on suspicion of the production of a controlled drug.

The scene was sealed off for forensic examination and house-to-house enquiries were undertaken.

The cannabis plants and a sophisticated hydroponics system have been seized for further examination.

An investigation is ongoing.

Inspector Roy McGregor said: "This was an excellent result and thanks to community intelligence we have been able to take a significant amount of drugs off the streets of Merseyside.

"We take all reports of illegal drugs activities in communities extremely seriously and will take robust action to put an end to the criminal behaviour of those involved in the drugs trade.

"We will seek to bring offenders to justice by putting them behind bars and stop them from bringing misery to the lives of other residents."

The five people arrested in connection with this discovery have been bailed pending further enquiries.

Anyone with any information about drugs in their area can call Merseyside Police on 0151 709 6010, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.