POLICE have seized 97 cannabis plants from a Winsford house after a rare tip-off from British Gas.

Officers carried out the drugs raid in a Ribble Place property on September 18 at 10.10am after ventilation pipes were uncovered by an employee.

The cannabis farm discovery was made by the energy provider who had executed a warrant of entry at the address because of missed bill payments.

Insp Dave Snasdell, Cheshire Police, said: “These type of recoveries are being made across the country.

“I wouldn’t say that this is becoming more common in Winsford, but it’s more common around the whole of the UK.

“Over the last few years there has been a national increase in the number of cannabis growers. Criminals have become more diverse in how they operate and more people seem to smoke it.

“We often receive reports of cannabis growing from residents but this has got to be the first time we’ve had one from British Gas.

“Sometimes you only recover one or two plants but on other occasions like this one the number can be a lot higher.”

It is understood that no people were present in the property and no arrests have been made.

A Cheshire Police spokesperson said: “Following information passed on to us officers attended an address in Ribble Place, Winsford where they discovered a number of cannabis plants.

“The plants have been seized and taken away from the property.”

Enquires are ongoing.

Anyone who suspects that their neighbours may be growing cannabis should call Cheshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.