Police have swooped on a church rectory and seized marijuana along with ventilation equipment.

Officers visited the rectory near Whitstable, which is owned and rented out by Canterbury Diocese, after reports the property was being used for "the possible production of cannabis".

Police seized some ventilation equipment and a small amount of cannabis from the property, which sits in Swalecliffe Court Drive down the road from St John's Church in Swalecliffe.

The building was used as a residence for a member of the clergy up until last summer, but it has since been let to the public.

The Diocese says it contacted the police as soon as it became aware of concerns the property was being used to grow cannabis.

Canterbury Diocese spokesman, Nadine Miller said: "The property in Swalecliffe Court Drive belongs to the diocese and its occupancy is managed by a private letting company.

"It was let as a short-term tenancy agreement to a member of the public.

"We are of course saddened to learn about what has been reported and hope for a successful resolution to the police investigation."

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