Five men have been arrested by police investigating illegal use of digital television boxes.

About 40 officers were involved in early morning raids in Blackburn, Lancashire, as part of a joint operation with Virgin Media.

They are investigating suspected illegal use and modification of the digital television set-top boxes to receive paid-for channels.

Police raided three houses and an industrial unit.

Searches of the homes at Livingstone Road and Assheton Road and the unit at Hamilton Street are under way.

The men were arrested on suspicion of committing offences under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

Sgt Colin Dassow, of Lancashire Police, said: "Members of the public should be reminded that using set-top boxes that have been illegally modified to receive digital TV subscription channels is a criminal offence.

"Anyone receiving these channels and making no payment to the respective media company is at risk of being prosecuted."