MORE than £15,000 worth of items seized during a cannabis farm investigation were handed over to students on Wednesday.

A police raid in July uncovered a haul of plant pots, compost, fertiliser, lighting and electrical growing equipment at a container on the outskirts of Middlesbrough.

The goods – believed to be intended for use at a cannabis farm - will now be used to benefit the public.

The equipment, which was all brand new and in boxes, has now been handed over to students from Askham Bryan College who are running a project in Middlesbrough’s Stewart Park.

Cleveland Police inspector Tony Cross said: “It’s good to think the equipment we recovered can be put to good use, ultimately helping a public cause and providing much needed resources to the Askham Bryan students.”

Cllr Tracy Harvey, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Environment and Commercial Services, added: “Crime never pays, so it’s always good to see the local community benefit when the perpetrators are brought to justice.

“It’s particularly fitting that this equipment should be put to good and lawful use by the young people at Askham Bryan College – it will help them to learn and grow and make a positive contribution to the Park and the town as a whole.”

The equipment was seized as part of a Cleveland Police investigation into cannabis farms that saw three people eventually charged with offences relating to the production of cannabis.