SEVERAL thousands of pounds worth of cannabis plants were seized in a police raid in a south Durham village yesterday.

Six officers swooped on an end-of-terrace bungalow in Jackson Street, Coundon Grange, near Bishop Auckland, shortly before noon.

In a bedroom they found seven mature cannabis plants and 45 more plants at different stages of growth.

A small quantity of cannabis resin was found during a search of the bungalow, which was empty at the time.

The search team also removed lighting, heating, irrigation and other equipment used to grow the plants.

A man in his 40s who later turned up at the bungalow was arrested on suspicion of producing cannabis and was taken to Bishop Auckland police station for questioning.

Coundon Grange beat officer Tracey Mutum said a raid team had applied for a warrant after a tip off.