A St Martins parish councillor has said she is 'gobsmacked' at the recent uncovering of a cannabis den in the village.

West Mercia Police tweeted a picture of the area behind the Institute in St Martins stating that there was evidence of cannabis use.

Community support officers are now urging parents to challenge their children on their whereabouts and activity.

Councillor Sue Schofield said she was surprised by the police's discovery.

"I am gobsmacked," she said.

"I know it's not the first time that drug use has been reported, but I've known it happen at the other end of the village and those people were not from St Martins.

"For it to be happening behind the Institute it means that these people are from the village.

"In the past it's been a case of younger teenagers mixing with older teenagers. But if any community say that there aren't any issues with drugs in their area then they're lying.

"In a way I am pleased that the police have found this and have said they are stepping up patrols, as youngsters need to be dissuaded against getting involved with drugs. Once they've been seen by police, they'll know not to do it."

PCSO Dave Hughes from Oswestry Rural North said: "It's about getting the message to local people to keep an eye on what kids are doing.

"We need parents to ask their kids what they are doing and where they are going.

"It one of those offences that can cause problems in the future for these children, and we're working to hard to safeguard these issues.

"We've got an eye on the location now and this is just a warning that we are aware of the problem."