A MAN has been arrested after £35,000 cannabis plants were found at an address in Shildon.

Two officers attended the house in Thomas Street at 9.30am following a tip-off from a member of the public.

PC Matthew Plumb confirmed the plants were fully grown and a suspect had been arrested.

He said: "The information came from a member of the public so we just want to thank the community for their continued support. We rely on information like this to do this sort of job."

Shildon Police posted on its Facebook Page: "Durham Constabulary's Shildon Neighbourhood Police Team have attended a property in Thomas Street today where a quantity of cannabis plants were found and recovered.

"This amounted to around £35,000 worth of cannabis plants which were seized.

"PS: If anyone else has one these 'grows' which you think is better than this one, let us know and we'll pop round to be the judge. 

"The winner will receive a few nights stay somewhere at our pleasure!"

One resident, who did not want to be named, said the issue was not uncommon and called it "unbelievable".

"It always stinks of weed in this street but I think the police have that much going on that they don't have the resources or time to do it," she said. "People have moved out because it's so bad."

She added: "I think it's disgusting when you can't even sit in your own garden."