A Sussex man has been found not guilty of funding a drugs factory capable of growing up to £2.5 million-worth of cannabis a year.

David Miles, of Lewes Road, Blackboys, had been charged with conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis.

A CID officer who stood trial alongside Mr Miles was found guilty of plotting to set up the sophisticated operation.

Detective Constable Michael Newson, 38, of Dorset Police, was released on bail pending sentencing.

Mr Miles had been accused of bankrolling the factory by providing £45,000 to Michael Newson's brother Anthony.

Throughout the trial he maintaineed he was unaware of Anthony Newson's true intentions and thought the factory was going to be used to stock computer data.

Outside court he said: "I am tremendously relieved at what has happened. I never thought the police had enough evidence even to bring this case against me to trial."