DRUGS with an estimated street value of £39,000 have been seized by police from a house in a Kent town.

A team of seven officers raided a property in May Road, Gillingham, at around 7am this morning and found 156 cannabis plants.

It is the 18th house of its kind to be closed down by police since October last year.

The most recent incident saw 180 plants seized after a fire at a cannabis factory in Paggitt Street, Chatham, on Sunday morning.

Det Insp John Coull said: "We will continue to close these illegal and dangerous factories down.

"I would like local people to help us by reporting any suspicions they may have about neighbouring houses to us."

* Anyone with information should contact police or 01634 891055 or Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.