Cannabis plants with an estimated value of tens of thousands of pounds have been recovered from an empty blaze-hit house.

The surprise discovery of what police believe was a long-standing cannabis growing operation was made on Sunday evening as a result of a check by firefighters through the terraced property, which was scheduled for demolition, in Dawdon, east Durham.

Having put out the blaze in an unoccupied downstairs flat in Embleton Street, members of the fire crew made a routine check in upstairs rooms and found more than 100 cannabis seedlings.

Police in nearby Seaham were informed and officers made a full search of the building, recovering 67 skunk cannabis plants, each around 5ft tall, from the loft.

They also seized hydroponic equipment used to grow cannabis, including lights, fans, transformers, electric cables, switches, and two paddling pools full of water.

The value of a single mature cannabis plant is estimated to be more than £1,000.

A police spokesman said: "Further inquiries are now underway to track down the person or people responsible for the cannabis cultivation operation, which has clearly been going on for some time."

Anyone with information is asked to call Easington division CID on 0191-586 2621.