by Hayley Robinson

Villagers say they are shocked after equipment used to grow cannabis was found at a flat near a school and nursery.

Officers were called to School Lane, Iwade, at 6.35am on Tuesday following reports of a burglary. Trays and other items which can be used for the cultivation of the class B drug were found, but no cannabis plants were discovered.

Forensics officers attended and house-to-house inquiries were carried out.

Leanne Phillips, 21, a stylist at Body Care Hair and Beauty Salon, said: "It was about 9am and I could hear banging coming from the flat. I saw a few men coming out with black sacks. It's the talk of the village."

Paul Moody, 64, of School Mews, said: "I thought this was a sleepy little village. I imagine this would worry parents if it's going on around here as there's a creche [nearby]."

Iwade parish council clerk Lynda Fisher said: "I'm shocked and surprised and I'm sure other councillors will be too. You know it goes on and there's been reports of it in Sittingbourne and Faversham but you just don't expect it in this village."

A 36-year-old man, from Iwade, was arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis. He was released with a caution after he admitted growing cannabis plants for personal use.