A DRUGS factory containing cannabis with a street value of £89,000 has been discovered by police in a house.

Officers recovered the drugs following a routine call to a house in Hartlepool at 1.42am yesterday.

They had to force a door to gain entry to the house, in Northgate, on the Headland, where they found a man asleep on the sofa with several cannabis plants drying in the front room.

A strong smell of cannabis led the officers to search the rest of the house, where they found 64 young cannabis plants and a number of older plants.

They also unearthed drugs-making equipment including specialised lighting and heating.

A spokesman said police believed the drugs could have been sold for up to £89,000 if they had made it on to the streets.

A 40-year-old man, who lives at the house, was arrested and was yesterday helping police with their inquiries.

Detective Sergeant Chris Stephenson, of Hartlepool CID, said "After a police unit visited the address and carried out an initial search a quantity of cannabis was found.

"A further search of the property was then carried out at the house and a number of immature and mature cannabis plants were recovered, along with the usual cultivation equipment, such as lighting and heating.

"It appears at this stage to be a very professional cannabis plant growing set-up."

The seizure comes days after another raid in Hartlepool in which police recovered drugs and cash worth more than £2,000 following a tip-off.

Three men were arrested when police received a call to the Crime Fighters confidential hotline. A quantity of cannabis resin was recovered, along with cash.

Det Sgt Stephenson said: "This is the second success in the space of a couple of days for Hartlepool police in respect of trying to quell the drugs problem which exists."