More than 220 plants have been discovered after police raided a cannabis factory.

PCs Paul Dormer and Taylor Johanson were on patrol when a person told them the smell of marijuana was coming from a house in The Broadway, Herne Bay.

They went to investigate, and found the plants in five tents in the detached home, growing equipment and a number of seeds that were ready to germinate in a bathroom.

There was also evidence that electricity had been abstracted illegally.

PC Dormer, who has been a patrol officer in Herne Bay for 17 years, said: "I’m such a familiar face in the town that people often come up and talk to me knowing that I will act upon it.

"Thanks to this particular member of the public we have been able to prevent a large amount of cannabis potentially being sold on the streets of Herne Bay."

Officers dismantled the factory after forensic tests were carried out in the house on Saturday.

They are pursuing a number of lines of enquiry to establish who was running the factory.

Police say cannabis factories often have windows their covered from the inside and people visiting for short periods of time daily or weekly.

"Sometimes – as in this case – a pungent smell will emanate from the building," PC Dormer added.

"Occasionally this even seeps through walls to adjacent properties.

"Compost bags and other gardening equipment in the garden or close to the back door without any clear indication of normal gardening, or vents protruding from the roof tiles can also give away the location of a cannabis grow."

Officers have urged anyone with information about the cannabis factory to call them on 01843 222289 or the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555111, quoting the reference number 46/26716/19.

If you have information about drug dealing in your neighbourhood, cakk police on 101 or speak to your local community support officer.