Two of the six men arrested after police raided a large cannabis factory have denied producing drugs.

A total of 800 plants were found in a warehouse at Paslow Hall Farm in King Street, Ongar, on Friday.

Stephen Francis, 45, of no fixed address, and Jamie Walters, 56, of Ackroyd Drive in Bow, pleaded not guilty when they appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

John Brown, 35, of Appleby Drive, Romford, Joseph Xenofondos, 39, Christopher Reilly, 49, both of no fixed address, all entered no plea.

All five will all appear in Chelmsford Crown Court on May 27.

Anthony Georgiou, 49, of no fixed address, will appear at the same court on June 9, and indicated he will plead not guilty.