The discovery of a cannabis factory has forced members of a dance school out of their studio.

More than 80 plants were found by officers in a building in North Road, Queenborough, last Tuesday evening, where Inspirations Dance Group is based.

Police said drug paraphernalia was also seized from the former Abbott’s social club but would not give an estimated street value of the find.

Inquiries are ongoing to find an offender.

Gemma Ryan and Kerry Lambeth, who run the group, had reported smelling the drug as far back as Halloween and had even found traces of it in the shared corridor in the building and say they feel frustrated it was allowed to go on so long.

They have managed to set up for classes to run temporarily at the Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club (IOSSC), Marine Parade, Sheerness, and are in the process of trying to secure a permanent base.

The pair have run Inspirations for around 10 years and have been based in Queenborough for the last three.

Miss Ryan, of Seager Road, Sheerness, said they were disappointed to be leaving as throughout their whole teaching careers they have hired halls and this was the first place they had been able to rent on a permanent basis.

“It’s sad because this was our first set-up in our own studio and it was quite exciting to know it was our own place,” the 31-year-old said.

“We thought we would be here a long time.”

She said she was shocked at the amount of drugs which were being grown upstairs and said it took the police two days to clear it all.

“There were dodgy electrics so they had to cut the power supply off as it was unsafe, and we weren’t aware of that,” she added.

“It’s awful – we’ve got more than 150 children and some are three years old.

“We tried to sort it out when we first smelt it and nothing was done and it got worse and worse – it’s so frustrating.

“It was out of our control.”

Miss Ryan said she was grateful everyone was behind them and said parents understand what’s going on.

“We just hope it won’t stop people from coming,” she added.

“Even though this has been going on my dancers have still been taking part in a competition – it didn’t stop things from happening so they didn’t miss out.”

Classes will restart at the IOSSC from Tuesday.

A police spokesman said: “We received a report on November 7 of a strong smell of cannabis coming from the upstairs room and officers carried out a number of inquiries and intelligence reports.

“A further call was made on January 13 reporting a smell of cannabis.

“Officers then attended the upstairs room the following day with the landlord and seized the plants.”

For more information about classes, phone Miss Ryan on 07894282458.