A POLICE officer proved he had a nose for fighting crime when he sniffed out a cannabis factory in Stourport.

PC Julian Ward was on mobile patrol in Gilgal when he picked up the distinctive smell of marijuana on Friday night.

Response officers PC Paul Modley and PC Steve Harris carried out a search on foot the next morning and followed the scent trail to a garage at the back of The Steps pub.

Inside, they discovered 145 cannabis plants in two tents along with hydroponic equipment used for cultivation.

The plants, some cannabis bush and the equipment were seized for destruction and a Stourport man in his 50s was arrested shortly afterwards on suspicion of being concerned in the production of cannabis.

He was questioned at Kidderminster Police Station and was released on police bail until June 5 while inquiries continue.

PC Harris, investigating, said: “We would like to hear from anyone who has noticed any unusual activity at the back of the pub, such as any people or vehicles regularly coming and going, or if they have any information at all that could assist our inquiries.”

Details can be passed on by calling police on 101, quoting incident reference 817-S-260413, or ringing Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.