AROUND 500 plants, believed to be cannabis, have been seized from the loft of a home in Wellington.

A team of ten police officers searched a six-bedroom family home on Bagley Road at about 9.30am last Thursday after a tip-off from a member of the public and discovered a professional hydroponics set-up in the loft.

A man in his late 30s has been arrested and bailed pending forensic investigations.

Sgt Richard Caburn said: "In the loft there was a professional hydroponics cannabis-growing set-up containing approximately 500 plants.

"The plants had yet to be harvested so the warrant was done at an optimum time so none of it has gone on to the streets."

Forensic tests are now being carried out to establish a yield quantity and the street value should the crop prove to be cannabis.

The property where the plants were found belongs to Brian Rowe, of Langford Budville, who was renting the house out to a family of five.

He said: "I was very shocked when the police told me. It's my mother's house.

"It was where I was brought up and lived all my life. That's what hurts a bit. I've got a bit of an emotional tie to it and when you let it to somebody it's more than bricks and mortar."

Police are keen to speak to anyone who may be able to help with their inquiries.

Sgt Caburn said: "We aim to seek out drug misuse in and around Wellington and we urge people to phone us on the Crimestoppers number with any information."

If you have any information, please call Crime- stoppers on 0800 555111 or Wellington Police Sta- tion on 01823 363262.