A MAN who grew cannabis plants after buying seeds and equipment over the internet was yesterday ordered to carry out unpaid work for the community.

Police raided Paul Jameson's home in Middlesbrough and found a "fairly sophisticated" cannabis farm, with tents and fans to regulate the temperature.

Three immature plants were discovered in a bedroom and one was found in the loft of the house, in Marton Road, when officers searched it on February 18.

Sue Jacobs, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court that eight jars containing "flowering-top material" were also seized, along with almost 50 diazepam sleeping pills.

Jameson, 32, told police he had spent about £500 on the equipment to grow cannabis for himself, but only one plant survived from his first crop of ten seeds.

The judge, Recorder Peter Collier, who heard how Jameson was in full-time work and had no previous convictions, imposed an unpaid work order for 100 hours.

Jameson admitted charges of producing a Class C drug and possessing Class C drugs at an earlier hearing at Teesside Magistrates' Court.