A MAN who set up a cannabis farm in his home began growing the plants after carrying out research on the Internet, a court heard.

Police searched the home of Dean James Signori and found 175 cannabis plants growing in a bedroom and loft, along with associated equipment such as fans, timers, lights and thermometers.

Police were alerted to the plants after detecting a strong smell of cannabis while searching his home in Shelley Road, Darlington, on July 14, Sean Dodds, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court

Mr Dodds showed Judge Peter Bowers pictures of the cannabis plants. The judge commented: "It's like a garden centre, isn't it?"

Signori, 25, whose mother was a prison drugs worker, told police he had been a heavy cannabis user for nine or ten years.

When the drug became too expensive to buy, he decided to grow it himself after "in-depth research" on the Internet.

The defendant, who admitted producing a class C drug, said he had cut his cannabis consumption from between £150 and £200 a week to £20 a fortnight.

He was also working as a welder in a steelworks after losing his former job.

Glenda Turnbull, mitigating, said: "He has changed his lifestyle. He and his partner are expecting their first child and he intends to be drug-free for that."

Judge Bowers said: "In spite of the mixed messages being sent out by the Government, it is still illegal to smoke and cultivate cannabis."

The judge imposed an eight month jail sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered him to carry out 175 hours unpaid work in the community.

He must also take part in a substance misuse program and pay £180 costs.

Judge Bowers said: "Take this as a warning and don't come back."