A 'DRUGS raid' saw more than 40 police officers descend on a busy city pub but ended without a single arrest.

Landlord Dave Mortimer, of the Waggon and Horses, said about 50 customers were enjoying quite drinks when police descended on Friday.

He said: 'Even old regulars were searched before they were allowed to leave.

'The question you have to ask is whether this was worth something like 50 policemen frightening the life out of everyone in the area?'

The Blacon pub was closed at just after 4pm for four hours as police searched the premises.

Uniformed police officers then patrolled the area late into the night. Two small amounts of cannabis were found and cautions were handed out.

Mr Mortimer told The Chronicle that in the seven years he has run the Western Avenue pub he has only been visited twice by police.

But now he fears getting an undeserved reputation.

Police, however, described the events as a 'visit' but admit more than 40 officers, including Community Action Team officers, Specials, Police Community Support Officers and detectives were involved.

Det Sgt Andy Marshall, who led the operation, claimed the raid had helped build relations between the authorities and the pub.

He said: 'There were no issues with disorder or any arrests during the visit. We did, however, receive lots of support from the staff at the pub.'

Chester City Council's Guy Morris, senior licensing officer, said: 'People in the industry must be aware that if we have information which indicates a pub is not being run in accordance with a licence, then we will be pro-active in our efforts to address those problems.'

richard.down@cheshirenews.co.uk