CANNABIS with an estimated street value of more than £100,000 was discovered at a house during an operation to combat gas meter fraud across Farnworth.

Police and teams of British Gas officials discovered the haul after they called at a house in King Street to inspect a gas meter.

A police spokesman said 100 mature cannabis plants and 80 smaller saplings were uncovered in an upstairs room of the house.

Other cannabis-related material was found after officers executed a warrant on the address at 2.30pm on Thursday. Floorboards were ripped up and a search of the house was carried out.

The spokesman added: "Officers discovered a large quantity of what is believed to have been cannabis plants, including 100 mature plants and 80 saplings, along with associated paraphernalia.

"The plants have been seized and sent for forensic analysis. If they prove to be cannabis plants, they are believed to have a street value of around £100,000."

A 27-year-old man from King Street was arrested on suspicion of cultivating a controlled drug and being concerned with the supply of a controlled drug.

He was released on police bail pending further investigations after questioning.

As reported in the Bolton Evening News yesterday, British Gas investigators raided 43 homes on four Farnworth housing estates in a crackdown on meter fiddlers. Around 10 "unsafe" pre-pay gas meters were taken away for testing.

As a result, 16 people have been asked to attend Farnworth police station in relation to the theft of gas. Two others are due to be questioned on suspicion of abstracting electricity.

British Gas said homeowners who tamper with meters are risking their lives and the lives of their neighbours. Suppliers estimate that gas seepage, which includes theft, costs more than £20 million a year.s Anyone with information on gas meter fiddling should contact the British Gas hotline on 0800 587 2737.