Police and firefighters discovered a 200-plant cannabis factory after complaints from neighbours about a “chemical smell”.

The surprise find came on Tuesday morning in an eighth floor apartment in Alford Court, off Brighton Road, in Sutton.

Firefighters realised the smell could be cannabis and called police who forced their way into the flat and found hundreds of two-foot high plants in two bedrooms.

They also found large bags of cannabis ready to be taken away amd sold - no residents were in the property at the time police arrived.

Sergeant Dave Williams, of Sutton South SNT, said this was a significant discovery: “We are investigating and we would appeal to anyone who has any information that could help us with our enquiries to get in touch.”

In November last year 3,000 plants were found in Sutherland House, in Sutton, with an estimated street value of £1.5m.

In February this year firefighters stumbled across 50 plants in Hackbridge when the hydraponics broke down.

Sutton South SNT can be contacted on 020 8721 2497, alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.