A man has been jailed for six years for producing and supplying cannabis after a haul worth more than £400,000 was found in a flat.

Jason Campbell’s operation was uncovered when residents and business owners stopped police officers complaining of a strong smell of cannabis around Silchester Road in St Leonards in February last year.

Officers raided the flat and found more than 40kg of cannabis plants drying out across two rooms ready to be used.

The 43-year-old of Leicester Street in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, was found in the flat at the time of the raid and was sentenced to six years on Monday.

His ex-partner Amy Cahalane, of Silchester Road in St Leonards, pleaded guilty to the charge of permitting the production of cannabis on a premises on September 23 and will be sentenced on October 24.

After the case Detective Constable Cally Fox said: "This was a significant find and was down to the local community being observant and informing officers of their concerns.

"The supply of drugs has a huge impact on local communities and this case sends out a strong message that Sussex Police will not tolerate those in the production and supply of them."