A MAN was to be interviewed by police later today in connection with the chance recovery of a £250,000 cannabis haul.

The 34-year-old Darlington man was arrested after the white Ford Transit van he was driving was pulled over by Durham Police patrol officers on the northbound carriageway of the A1(M), near the Barton interchange, at around 8.30pm last night.

Officers were alerted by other road users concerned about the manner in which the van was being driven.

Members of the road traffic unit became immediately suspicious of the smell inside the van.

A search revealed a total of 60-kilograms of cannabis, a mixture of resin and leaf, or 'bush', said to have an approximate street value of around £250,000.

The man, from the Red Hall area of Darlington, was taken into custody and his home was searched, but nothing further was found.

A Durham force spokesman said the man in being held at Darlington Police Station and will be questioned about the recovered drugs later today.