THE first in a series of dawn drugs raids on houses in Burnley was launched today.

Officers smashed down the front door of a house in Stroyan Street at 7am. Police seized what they described as drugs paraphernalia and an offensive weapon, an axe.

They have also recovered property which police suspect may have been stolen.

The crackdown on suspected drugs dealers is an extension of the Burnley Residents Against Drugs scheme which started in the Daneshouse and Burnley Lane areas and is now being expanded to cover the whole of the town.

Insp John Clucas promised more raids in days to come.

He said they were acting on information they had got from local residents' groups about suspected drugs activities and specific information about addresses.

Insp Clucas added: "More raids will follow in the coming days and weeks. Some days it may be only one house is visited on other days it could be a large operation."

Insp Clucas asked for more information from the public and said anyone with information should contact Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.

A man was being quizzed at Burnley police station after being arrested this morning.