A CREWE man who was operating a cannabis factory from his home in the West End has been jailed for eight months.

Cheshire Police say the prison sentence sends a clear message to people involved in the cannabis trade.

Robert Herdman, aged 21, who set up production of the narcotic at his home in Barnabas Avenue was jailed after appearing at Chester Crown Court last week.

At an earlier hearing at South Cheshire Magistrates Court he had admitted cultivating cannabis, supplying the drug and possessing it with intent to supply.

Police Constable Mike Rushton, from the Crewe Community Action Team, said: "The sentence is a reminder to people that using, dealing and growing cannabis is still illegal.

"We always investigate reports of drugs and the courts also take a serious view of the issue.

"This was a case where we were able to liaise with members of the public and with partner agencies such as Wulvern Housing to achieve the proper result."

The court ordered that cannabis plants seized from the house and the growing equipment should be forfeited.

PC Rushton added: "People in Crewe should understand quite clearly that we will not tolerate illegal drugs and run an on-going campaign to deal with drug trading."