SHOCKED workmen visiting an empty Black Country factory on behalf of an electricity supplier stumbled across a mammoth find of between 500 and 1,000 cannabis plants.

The team, thought to be about to shut off the supply, arrived at Pioneer House in Alma Street, Smethwick on Wednesday morning, and discovered the plants on three floors of the industrial premises.

A West Midlands Police spokeswoman said officers were called to the address, in a side street exclusively populated by small businesses, shortly after 9am.

She added: “They found approximately 500 to 1,000 plants plus equipment. Our team went in in the morning and started moving the items from the premises. There were no arrests.