A lorry full of cannabis was found on fire at the side of the road in Rochdale .

It was discovered after the driver went to a takeaway in Shaw , Oldham , with serious facial injuries.

He said he had been assaulted and his lorry had been stolen.

Firefighters were then called to a blaze on Huddersfield Road, in Newhey , between Wicken Hall and Cherry Top Farm.

Police say ‘a large amount of fumes’ were coming from the lorry and once the flames had been extinguished, and the truck had been moved out of the road, a ‘significant amount’ of cannabis was found in the trailer.

Detectives say they have a number of ‘unanswered questions’ about the ‘unusual and complex’ incident and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Det Insp Joanne Reid said: “This is a very unusual and complex case and we still have a number of unanswered questions so I want to stress the importance of people contacting us if they know anything.

“We’re examining every piece of information that we have to establish what has exactly happened and are particularly interested in the events leading up to the robbery and how the lorry came to be on fire.”

(Image: GMP)

A 52-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs, in connection with the incident, which took place at about 10.30pm on Sunday, but has since been released without charge.

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 8457 quoting reference number 2110 of 17/12/17 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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