A man who set up a cannabis factory in Kent, capable of producing £100,000 worth of drugs annually, has been jailed for 10 years.

Thang Van Le, 43, unemployed, of Ferrier Estate, Kidbrooke, south-east London, was arrested after officers from Plumstead's Drug Squad raided a property he was renting on October 2, last year.

In July last year Le rented the five bedroom house in Pleasant View, Erith and moved in hydroponic equipment valued at £20,000 with the intention of cultivating cannabis.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said the cannabis plants Le grew were capable of producing about 40 kilograms of cannabis per year at a street value of £100,000.

Le also abstracted' the electricity to run the hydroponic equipment, which should have cost £4,000 for three months' worth, the spokesman said.

Following a two week trial at the Woolwich Crown Court, Le was found guilty.

He was sentenced to six years' imprisonment for the production of cannabis and four years' imprisonment for the abstraction of electricity.

Le's hydroponic equipment which was confiscated by police is to be donated to horticultural charities.

DC Tina Knightsbridge said: "I hope this sentence demonstrates to anyone else out there who is producing or is thinking of producing drugs, the consequences of doing so."

"If you have any information regarding the production of drugs, I'd ask you to call us on 020 8284 9818."