A SECOND major cannabis farm has been shut down in the town centre following an early morning raid by police today, Thursday.

The haul is estimated to be worth around £500,000.

Three men were arrested at the scene and are currently waiting to be questioned in the custody suite.

Officers - acting on numerous reports by members of the public - raided the premises on lower Bridge Street at 7am where they discovered the drugs den.

Police say the cannabis factory was spread over several rooms on two floors.

It is understood the raided building is located between the Bridges and Cromwell's above The Pantry on the first and second floor.

A total of 375 cannabis plants of varying stages of growth have been recovered.

There was also a large quantity of cannabis which had already been dried and bagged up ready for sale.

Inspector Richie Watts said: “This is a great result as we believe that these drugs could well have been destined for the streets of Warrington."

The find comes just weeks after another cannabis farm – which had the potential to make £6m in a year - was raided on Friday, February 13.

The drugs factory, which was discovered in the former nightclub, Club Wired, on Mersey Street, held more than 1,600 cannabis plants.

Four people including two men, aged 34 and 48, have been since been charged.

Police also executed a warrent at Lewis Court on Monday, February 16 where officers discovered another illegal farm containing around 65 plants.

A man from Howley was arrested on suspicion of being involved in the production of cannabis after police raided the property as part of a crackdown on drugs.

The man, who has not been named, has now been bailed pending further investigations until April 1.

Inspector Richie Watts added: "This is the third cannabis farm officers in Warrington have found in the past two weeks, and it shows that we are taking action against illegal drugs.

"We know what negative impact illegal drug use and supply can have on the community and it is an issue we take extremely seriously.

“Members of the public can rest assured that our efforts in this area will continue.

"Information is vital in the fight against drug related crime and I urge anyone who is concerned about drugs related crimes in their local community to contact Cheshire Police on 101.”

It is not known if any of the drugs farms are linked at this time.