THOUSANDS of cannabis plants with an estimated street value of £1.5million were seized by police after they were called to a warehouse fire.

Officers found more than 2400 plants at an industrial unit on Mossbell Road in Bellshill, Lanarkshire, on Tuesday at around 1.15pm.

Police and fire crews had been called to a blaze at the unit. No one was injured and inquires are continuing.

Inspector Brian Lindie, Cambuslang Police Office, said: "This was a very substantial cannabis cultivation and enquiries are ongoing to establish who is responsible.

"Cannabis cultivations not only bring drugs into our communities but the set up required to produce it also presents a high risk of fire and a risk to public safety.

"Criminal activity such as this will not be taken lightly and we will continue to carry out enquiries to find those responsible for this site, and anybody else linked to the growing and distribution of drugs.

"Targeting drugs crime is a priority and information from the local community is absolutely vital in helping us target those involved in the supply of controlled drugs."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.