A FATHER-OF-TWO was arrested after his home was raided and a number of cannabis plants and other drugs paraphernalia were seized.

A team of eight police officers conducted a dawn raid in Bowman Street, Longfield, Darlington, on Monday morning.

The raid was as a result of a tip-off from a member of the public.

The officers, which included a police dog handler with a specialist drug sniffer dog, were part of Durham Polices offender management unit.

They conducted the raid at 7.20am by knocking the door of the home down with a specialist metal battering ram, after they gained a warrant under the misuse of drugs act.

A drugs farm was found in the loft of the property. Four mature cannabis plants were recovered, as were several other smaller potting plants. They will be sent away for further forensic analysis.

Other drugs paraphernalia and equipment, including lighting, was also seized.

The sniffer dog found more drugs, suspected to be for personal use, in other parts of the house including kitchen and bedroom as well as a van.

PC Neil Stannard, who led the raid, said: "It was still fairly dark when we conducted the raid."

Photographs of the home were also taken as part of the inquiries.

PC Stannard added: "This was down to community intelligence. This is not tolerated anywhere especially since we were close to a school."

Insp Steve Ball, from the offender management unit, said the raid was one of a number conducted as a result of community intelligence.

He added: "Cannabis is not tolerated in Darlington. It might be seen as an soft drug but that is not the case at all."

A 29-year-old man was arrested for drugs offences and taken to Darlington police station for questioning.