POLICE have uncovered the second large cannabis factory above a takeaway in the space of a week - taking the number of plants seized in St Helens to beyond 1,000.

The farm containing 418 plants was found in a four-room flat in Sutton Road on Wednesday. A 25-year-old man of no fixed address has been arrested and charged with cannabis production.

The discovery came just days after a farm containing more than 600 plants was uncovered above the Tasty Corner takeaway in Greenfield Road, Dentons Green.

A 16-year-old boy, believe to be of Vietnamese origin, was charged in connection with the discovery.

Superintendent David Charnock, from Matrix Serious and Organised Crime unit, which is co-ordinating the forcewide operation said the recent results showed how cannabis farms could be set-up anywhere.

He said: "We have had some fantastic results since the operation began and none more so than this week when around one thousand plants were seized in the St Helens area alone.

"We are uncovering these farms in anything from small flats to large detached houses and in both suburban and inner city areas.

"It goes to show that no one can be complacent and we need everyone to be aware of the signs to look for that cannabis may be being grown where you live.

"A great deal of the positive action we have taken so far has been thanks to the public's help and we will keep taking drugs out of the hands of criminals if people keep telling us where cannabis is being grown."