A 53-YEAR-OLD man has been released under investigation following a police raid at a home in a rural area of County Durham.

Armed officers were seen executing a warrant at the house on the B6282, just outside Middleton-in-Teesdale, near Barnard Castle, on March 7.

Police officers shut the road leading into the village for more than an hour following the incident at about 4pm.

Residents also reported seeing a police dog unit and three police vans in attendance while they carried out the raid.

A man was then taken into custody and was police confirmed he was a voluntary attender in relation to allegations of possession of a firearm and cultivation of cannabis.

A police spokeswoman has since confirmed that investigations are still ongoing and the man has been released under investigation for the allegation of cultivating cannabis.

However, no firearms were found at the house and no further action is being taken against him in relation to it.

She said: "No firearms or illegal weapons were found at the property during the warrant.

"As a result, no further action is being taken against the allegation of possession of a firearm.

"The 53-year-old has been released under investigation for the allegation of cultivation of cannabis."