Police in Westbury have discovered a 'large-scale' cannabis factory growing plants on three floors of a disused storage building.

The drug factory in The Maltings was revealed by officers dealing with a crash who became suspicious after spotting power lines going into the building.

Wiltshire Police say it is too early to say how many plants were growing on the premises and how much their street value is, but indicate it is a considerable find. Officers have launched “a detailed investigation” as part of an organised crime probe.

A police spokesman said: “Officers are carrying out enquiries after a large-scale cannabis factory was located in Westbury over the weekend.

“Police were called to the property in The Maltings late on Friday night after both the fire service and a electricity company were dealing with an incident where a vehicle had collided with an electricity pylon.

“The scene had roused their suspicions and they spotted two cables running into the old storage building. When officers entered the property they found a large-scale cannabis factory running over three floors."

Detective Inspector Tom Straker, from Central CID, added: “The building was made safe over the weekend and we are now using CSI teams to record and collate the evidence, before the plants can be removed.

“We were first alerted to the property by the fire service and the electricity company who had been dealing with a fire caused by a white van which collided with a pylon.

“The vehicle was seen to drive off shortly after the collision and there was nobody at the premises when emergency services arrived.

“We have now begun a detailed investigation to establish who may have been involved with the setting up of this cannabis factory and people living locally will see a police presence while we conduct our enquiries.

“We would ask anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity at the premises or who may have information which could assist our enquiries to please get in touch.”

This investigation is being carried out as part of Project Optimise, which is Wiltshire Police's approach to serious and organised crime.

Anyone with information should call Central CID on 101, quoting crime reference 54220002145. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.