HUNDREDS of cannabis plants have been seized after being discovered in a town centre property during the middle of the afternoon.

Essex Police were called to Colchester High Street shortly after 3pm on Tuesday with reports of cannabis being grown in a building.

After arriving at the scene, the officers were confronted with about 500 cannabis plants, which will now be retrieved by the force.

Following the find two men, a 36-year-old and a 22-year-old, were arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and they both remain in custody.

READ MORE >> IN PHOTOS: The High Street drug den where hundreds of cannabis plants were found

A spokesman for Essex Police has now urged anyone with information which may aid the force’s investigation to contact them as soon as possible.

He said: “Our enquiries are ongoing and there is likely to remain a police presence in the area in the coming days.

“We need anyone who saw anything or has any CCTV, dash cam, or doorbell footage to contact us.

“Anyone with information should call 101 quoting incident number 628 of February 1.

“If you have any information you can submit a report online at essex.police.uk or call 101 quoting incident number 628 of February 1 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”