ONE of the biggest cannabis growing sites in the UK has been uncovered, just days before it was due to go into full production.

Audacious criminals had spent thousands of pounds converting a barn, in a remote corner of County Durham, into a sophisticated drugs factory.

Detectives said the site, just days away from completion, would have been capable of growing hundreds of cannabis plants, producing drugs destined for the North-East streets.

Acting Det Insp John Armstrong, who is leading the investigation, said: "This is a huge find - we believe it is one of the biggest cannabis grows ever found in the country."

A stolen car was used to smash through the gate leading to the building. The driver then tried to ram raid the barn, but was kept out by its metal roller-shutter door. The frustrated driver then set fire to the car before fleeing the scene.

At 11.20pm on Tuesday, firefighters attending a routine blaze at a farm at Pontop Pike, East Castle, Dipton, near Stanley, called in police to investigate an arson.

Once the fire was out, officers entered the building and found the cannabis farm ready to go.

The organised set-up included scaffolding with sodium lighting, insulation panels and polythene sheeting. Acting DI Armstrong, of Derwentside CID, said: "A Ford Sierra was stolen in Chester-le-Street on Tuesday.

"This was driven to the farm where it was smashed through a five-bar metal gate and deliberately driven into the barn door.

"When the occupants realised they could not break in, they set fire to the car.

"Firefighters managed to extinguish the flames and on inspection of the barn, they found a large area being converted into a cannabis growing centre.

"All the elements were in place to produce hundreds of plants."

He refused to speculate on whether the site had been deliberately vandalised by rival drug dealers.

"We believe that the act of driving the car at the barn was to draw attention to the activities that were taking place inside," he said.

Detectives have so far not made any arrests, but the site is still being examined for forensic evidence.

Anyone with information about the cannabis farm should contact Derwentside CID on (01207) 504204, or Crimestoppers in confidence, on 0800 555 111.