POLICE have closed down a cannabis factory after receiving a tip-off from the public.

Officers found nearly 300 cannabis plants when they swooped on a house, in London Road, Clacton.

Hydroponics equipment, used to grow the plants, was also seized.

No one was in the building at the time.

Police spokesman Nishan Wijeratne said officers raided the premises, just hours after receiving information from the public.

He said: “Officers executed a search warrant at a house in London Road and discovered approximately 300 cannabis plants.

“Officers are currently trying to establish the whereabouts of the homeowner.”

Mr Wijeratne said the drugs bust was neighbourhood policing “at its best”.

He added: “We were given a tip-off and we acted on that information immediately, which resulted in the closure of this cannabis factory.”