A CANNABIS factory was found and shut down by police investigating reports of a house burglary.

Officers discovered around 500 cannabis plants in varying stages of maturity at a property in Kings Drive, Gravesend, on Monday afternoon.

Police say they had a street value of around £40,000.

The plants were found growing in four rooms and the loft of the semi-detached house. Evidence that lighting equipment had previously been in place was also discovered and the electricity meter had been by-passed.

It is the sixth cannabis factory to be shut down in North Kent in the last three months.

PC Adrian Parsons said: "We would ask people to be vigilant. It really could be happening next door to you."