Farmer's cannabis find on Fylde riverbed

But rather than being pot luck – police believe the class B drug was being cultivated outdoors on purpose.

A total of 19 plants have been plucked from a wooded area off Naze Lane East in Freckleton and destroyed by officers.

Surrounded by wire meshing to keep them safe, the plants would have raised their grower tens of thousands of pounds in sales to users.

A spokesman for Fylde Police said a farmer stumbled across the find on Tuesday.

“Officers from Fylde Neighbourhood Team have attended the area and found a number of well established cannabis plants,” they said.

“These have now been removed and taken for destruction. If anyone has any further information regarding drug-related matters, you can contact the team on 101, via the Lancashire Police website, or through Crimestoppers.”

Cannabis growing outside is believed to be rare, though Lancashire Police was unable to comment further.

Two years ago, a 2ft- high plant was found growing in the wild – on a sandbank at the mouth of the River Doon in Ayr, Scotland.

And in 2014, OAP Patricia Hewitson called a BBC radio show to ask experts to help her identify a mysterious plant growing in her garden.

The 65-year-old, from Devon, was stunned to hear her 5ft-tall shrub was a cannabis plant.

The drug, otherwise known as weed, is the most widely used illegal drug in Britain, according to charity Talk To Frank.

The charity says many myths surround the drug, including that it is safe because it is natural. The charity said using it will ruin a user’s life, their health, and their future.

“What is true is that cannabis can have some very real, harmful effects on your mind and body, as well as creating longer-term problems,” a spokesman said.

Taking cannabis can make people feel relaxed and happy, very hungry – known as ‘getting the munchies’ – and can cause feelings of anxiety, suspicion, panic, and paranoia, the charity added.

Because it is a class B drug, it is illegal to possess, give away, or sell cannabis.

Possession, even for medicinal reasons, comes with a jail term of up to five years.

Supplying it can result in a prison sentence of up to 14 years and an unlimited fine.

“If the Police catch you with cannabis, they’ll always take some action,” Talk to Frank added.

“This could be a warning, a reprimand, a formal caution, a fixed penalty or an arrest and possible conviction.”