ARMED police were among scores of officers called to a major incident in Hartlepool which saw four people arrested and tens of thousands of pounds of drugs seized.

People in the area reported a large number of police vehicles in the Hutton Avenue/St Paul's Road area from about 8pm on Tuesday.

One eyewitness on social media said: "Lots of armed police. I was waved away when walking the dog. Something very serious is happening."

Cleveland Police said a cannabis farm with 300 plants - worth tens of thousands of pounds - was found during a raid on two properties on Hutton Avenue and a quantity of suspected Class A drugs seized.

Three men and a woman have been arrested and remain in police custody.

A police spokesperson said there will be a police presence at the properties for some time.