A three-month-long campaign to find cannabis factories by Avon and Somerset Constabulary has ended after executing 20 drug warrants and seizing 1,000 cannabis plants in Somerset alone.

Operation Viscount aimed to execute a drug warrant every day for more than three months and came to an end on August 6.

Over the whole area, including Bristol, 73 warrants were carried out and officers have seized more than 7,000 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of £6.6 million.

Police also confiscated £70,000 of cash as well as cocaine, cannabis resin and cannabis bush.

Raids were implemented across Somerset, including Bridgwater, Street and Taunton.

A raid on a property near Street led to the taking possession of 400 cannabis plants worth £300,000.

One man was arrested and has been bailed pending further inquiries.

Drug strategy manager Paul Bunt said: "We have found professional, organised set ups in rural locations and within the towns of Somerset just as we have in large cities like Bristol. It proves that cannabis factories are not just to be found in cities or large towns."

Factories were found in mid-terraced and semi detached housing as well as farm buildings and industrial units in rural areas.

Information about the drug factories was provided by investigations but also tip offs from the public.

Mr Bunt added: "The support from the public is vital in tackling this type of crime and clamping down on cannabis factories in the force area."

To contact the police, call 0845 456 7000. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.