A routine car stop led police to find a firearm, suspected cocaine, and a cannabis farm worth over  £120,000 inside a property.

Police in Hartlepool stopped a car on Brenda Road in Hartlepool at 8:45pm on Monday (October 21) and found the driver, 39, was wanted by police.

A car search found a firearm and drugs and a later search of a home on Kyle Avenue yesterday (October 22) found a cannabis farm worth an estimated £121,800.

The driver was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and possession of class A drugs.

A second man, aged 43, was arrested at the home on suspicion of production of cannabis. Both are still in police custody.

Hartlepool Neighbourhood Sergeant Tony Snow said: "We will always look to act upon information and take drugs from the streets of Hartlepool, where they can end up in the wrong hands and can harm people."

A full police statement reads: "Officers have located a cannabis farm in a property after a man was stopped in his vehicle and was found to be wanted by police.

"Around 8:45pm on Monday 21st October, officers from Hartlepool Neighbourhood Policing Team stopped a vehicle on Brenda Road.

"The driver, a 39-year-old man, was found to be wanted. A search of the vehicle located a firearm and suspected class A drugs (suspected cocaine) and the man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and possession of class A drugs.

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"Police then subsequently carried out a search of a property on Kyle Avenue this morning, Tuesday 22nd October, where a cannabis farm believed to be worth up to £121,800 was located.

"A second man, aged 43, was arrested at the property on suspicion of production of cannabis.

"Both men remain in police custody at this time."