Police have raided a farm near Bradford on Avon and confiscated an estimated 250 cannabis plants, worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Eight officers from the Dedicated Crime Team and Bradford on Avon Neigh-bourhood Policing Team raided Leigh House Farm Liveries, off Leigh Road West, at about 1pm on Wednesday.

Officers found two large shipping containers, housing approximately 250 plants in various stages of growth, some of them being prepared for harvesting.

The plants could produce a yield worth a street value of £250,000 to £300,000.

A police spokesman said: “We’ve executed a warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act and found two large shipping containers full of suspected cannabis plants.

“The plants are in various stages of growth, from babies to mature plants. Some are being dried out.

“We estimate there are 250 plants, which are capable of a yield per year of £250,000 to £300,000.

“At the moment, there is no indication that the people who run the premises are involved. The owner is speaking to us and helping us with our enquiries. He is not a suspect.

“No arrests have been made at the moment. We are very keen to speak to the people who rent the units and they will form part of our enquiries.

“We treat cannabis seriously and we will actively target anyone we believe to be cultivating and supplying drugs.”

Nick Hillier, who owns and runs Leigh House Farm Liveries, said: “I feel shocked. I’m just shocked at what they’ve found.

“We run an honest business here, supplying the equine market, and we’re as shocked as everyone else.”

In January, police seized £225,000 worth of cannabis from six buildings at Bradford Leigh Farm, about half a mile down the road.

At this point, police say they do not know if the two cannabis factories are linked.

Anyone with information can call the Dedicated Crime Team on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously.