A RUBBISH bag full of cannabis and equipment from a drugs factory has been dumped yards from a children's play area.

Residents raised the alarm after the gear was found at the entrance to the Ramsey War Memorial playing field.

Rob Passmore, who is the recreation manager for the Ramsey War Memorial Hall committee, said the haul included 22 transformers for lights, eight fans and 30 black rubbish sacks each containing the root system for about six plants.

Another black sack contained cannabis leaves, believed to be worth thousands of pounds.

The site has been targeted by fly tippers before with garden tables, a shed and electrical goods being dumped there recently.

However, the latest consignment is considered the most disturbing.

Mr Passmore said: ""The incidents of fly tipping have been increasing and this latest load was equipment associated with a cannabis factory.

"This is worrying as it is hazardous for the children."

The equipment was dumped overnight between Friday night and Saturday morning.

Villagers are trying to secure funding to create a new play area, trim trail and multi-sport area on the field in Wix Road.

The projects would cost in the region of £140,000.

In the long term, the Ramsey Recreation Development Project also wants to build a new village hall on the field.

Suzanne Howe, who is secretary for the Ramsey War Memorial Hall committee and fundraising co-ordinator for the development project, said: "The last time there was a shed dumped and that included glass and nails being left there.

"We are trying to fundraise to improve the facilities we have here and you get something like this.

"It is a beautiful area and you don't want something like this to impact on the work we are doing."

Mrs Howe said the committee would look at increasing security at the sight including investigating whether it could intall CCTV and improve lighting.

However, she added Essex County Council's proposal to turn off rural street lighting from 12 midnight to 5am could make it easier for criminals to operate.

Police removed the drug factory equipment and are investigating.