POLICE stumbled across a drugs haul worth more than £100,000 after answering a routine call to a disturbance at farmhouse.

Bailiffs who were trying to enter the remote farmhouse in Greencroft, near Stanley, called the police at lunch time last Friday.

Officers attending the incident stumbled upon more than 100 mature cannabis plants in the property, with a street value of £1,000 each, and growing equipment.

Det Sgt Paul D'eath, of Derwentside CID, said: "We definitely had a little bit of luck with this one, but it is certainly quite a haul.

"We were called to assist at the scene after an alleged altercation between the bailiffs and the householder. During that altercation, we recovered the plants.

"It was quite a sophisticated set-up and this is a major haul both financially and taking into account with the actual amount of cannabis involved. We are pleased to have taken a potentially large amount of drugs off the street market."

Around 16 uniformed officers and CID were involved in the operation.

A 51-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill and cultivating cannabis.

A 33-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis. The pair were released on bail pending further inquiries.