A MAN has been jailed after a £3million cannabis factory was discovered near Ardleigh.

Anthony Davis, 48, of Newbridge Farm, Fox Street, Ardleigh, was sentenced to three years and four months at Chelmsford Crown Court today.

Police discovered almost 3,000 plants and 27.7kilos of packaged and ready-to-sell cannabis at the former chicken farm.

The complex set-up involved three barns at the site with plots regularly harvested.

It is understood the units had been rented out through a lettings agency.

The owner denied having any knowledge of what the premises were being used for but declined to comment any further.

See the full story in Wednesday's Gazette.