A CANNABIS factory was discovered hiding in plain view in a South Cambs village after firefighters were called to a house fire.

Two crews from Royston attended the call on Saturday after they were alerted to an electrical fire in Barley Road, Heydon, at midday.

On arrival the firefighters discovered the fire was out, but once inside found there were about 700 cannabis plants.

A man and a woman were seen fleeing the scene and are described as both white and in their early 20s.

The man is thought to have short, dark hair and was wearing jeans.

The woman is believed to have blonde hair in a ponytail.

Cambridgeshire police were alerted by the firefighters and an investigation has been launched.

The clerk for both Great Chishill and Little Chishill Parish Council and Heydon Parish Council, Sarah Scott said: “It’s not something we expected to find.”

“I have spoken to the chairman of the parish council and we’re totally shocked – you don’t expect to find that sort of thing going on in such a small rural area.”

The chairman of Great Chishill and Little Chishill Parish Council, Cllr Andrew Gardiner said he had lived in the village for 30 years and had never heard of a drug related incident.

“We’re shocked and stunned by the discovery of a cannabis factory in our parish,” he said.

“The property concerned is very isolated from the hub of the village, being two miles from Great Chishill and three miles from Little Chishill.

“We would be delighted to assist the police in any way we can.”

Anyone with information is urged to call the police on 0345 4564564 or alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.