FOUR men have admitted they acted as 'gardeners' at a large-scale cannabis farm in a disused building. 

More than 1,000 cannabis plants were uncovered at a building in Barrow town centre after it was raided by police.

Four men, all Albanian, have now admitted producing cannabis at the site.

Edi Cepele, 28, 27-year-old Erjo Cepele, 29-year-old Andi Kola and Mikel Xhafa, 19, pleaded guilty to the charge at Preston Crown Court.

Barristers representing the group told the court they worked as 'gardeners' at the building, the former Rathbone training centre in Abbey Road.

They admitted producing the class B drug between September 30 last year and April 1 this year.

The four men are due to be sentenced on August 7.

The court heard prosecutors are still investigating the total value of the plants.

The men were also accused of possessing cannabis with intent to supply but all denied the charge when it was put to them in court.

The court was told they will not face trial over those charges.

Police carried out a raid at the building on April 1.

Images captured by a YouTube urban explorer showed scores of cannabis plants in the building, which sits opposite Barrow's magistrates' court .

Bags of cannabis-growing equipment could be seen at the site.

Encountering the set-up filming inside the building, explorer Magic Magnets said: "Look at the size of it - how sophisticated is this?

"It's amazing what goes on under our noses, isn't it." 

Youths could also be seen entering the building while the explorer was there.

Judge Richard Gioserano said: "You've all pleaded guilty today to count two on the indictment, which is the production of cannabis.

"These pleas of guilty have been accepted by the prosecution so there will be no trial upon count one of possession with intent to supply.

"The prosecution will say that all four of you were gardeners.

"The basis of plea is therefore not required for any of you but the prosecution will be submitting evidence of the likely yield."

The men will continue to be remanded in prison until the sentencing.