A MAN has been arrested after a cannabis factory was discovered at a West Dorset address.

Following information received, police officers attended an address in the Mosterton area near Beaminster at around 12.20pm on Tuesday June 21 and carried out a search of the premises.

In an outbuilding they located around 50 suspected cannabis plants as well as cash and a small amount of a suspected class A drug.

A local man aged in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of cultivating a class B drug and possessing a class B drug. He has been released under investigation as officers continue to conduct enquiries.

Sergeant Mike Brown, of West Dorset police, said: “Officers responded promptly to the information received, taking positive action with a search of the property that revealed a suspected large scale cannabis cultivation operation.

“We recognise the impact reported drug related activity has on local communities and we continue to urge anyone with information or concerns to contact us so we can take appropriate action.”

Anyone with information can contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/contact, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.