A man has been charged following the discovery of a cannabis factory at a farm near Colchester.

Police found more than 3,500 cannabis plants and 27 kilos of ready-to-sell cannabis when searching three barns in Fox Street, Ardleigh on Friday.

Anthony Davis, 48, of Fox Street, Ardleigh, was arrested on Friday night, and later charged with producing a controlled drug.

It is believed the plants have a street value of up to £3.5million and more than £75,000 for the ready-to-sell quantity.

Officers also seized a large quantity of cultivation equipment, while engineers from UK Power Networks were called to deal with a mains power cable that had been diverted into the site.

A spokesman for UK Power Netowrks said: “At 8.18pm on Friday, UK Power Networks’ staff were asked by Essex Police to attend a property in Fox Street, Ardleigh.

“Our engineers disconnected the power supply to the property at their request.”

Mr Davis was remanded in police custody to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court today, Monday August 11 where he was further remanded in custody until September 2.