A "significant quantity" of an illegal substance - sold to aid weight loss - has been seized by authorities in Cumbria.

Allerdale Council carried out the search at a property in Wigton alongside Cumbria police and found the substance, which is believed to be 2,4 dinitrophenol - commonly known as DNP.

The searches were co-ordinated by and acted on intelligence from the National Food Crime Unit of the Food Standards Agency and also involved the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority (MHRA).

The FSA said that "a significant quantity" of what is believed to be DNP was seized at premises in Cumbria, along with associated machinery and tablet presses.

DNP is known to be sold illegally online and in gyms as an aid to weight loss. Consumption of DNP has resulted in eight deaths in the UK since 2015.

Searches were also carried out at properties in Gateshead and South Tyneside.

Enquiries are ongoing to identify and speak to those connected with the seizure.

Heather Hancock, chairman of the FSA, said: "DNP can and does kill.

"We are relentless in pursuing those seeking to profit from the illegal sale of this toxic substance for human consumption.

"This operation succeeded because of the close working partnership between the National Food Crime Unit and local authorities, law enforcement agencies and internet companies in the UK and abroad.

"We have been able to disrupt supply routes and close down websites.

"This stops people being put at risk from the severe harm that comes from consuming DNP."

Earlier this year, John Walker, from Belfast, became the first person to be convicted of selling DNP.