POLICE discovered a cannabis farm after swooping on a semi-detached house in a quiet residential area of Chandler's Ford.

Officers seized 51 baby cannabis plants and 24 kilograms of herbal cannabis - with a street value of £2,000 - after raiding a home in Sycamore Avenue.

Also recovered in the operation was what police described as "very sophisticated" hydroponic equipment used to propagate plants.

Detectives at the scene refused to comment but a police spokesman later said the search of the premises had been instigated following the arrest of a man in the Southampton area the previous night.

Following the Chandler's Ford raid a man was arrested and taken to Eastleigh police station where he was helping police with their inquiries.

Police made their swoop at about 10.30am and were at the scene until shortly after midday ferrying items into a police van parked close to the home facing a landscaped green.

It is understood that a room in the house had been devoted to growing cannabis plants.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said police had been at the scene for some time but that he had no idea what they were there for.

He said: "There were three cars but only one bloke in uniform. They have taken bagsful of stuff out."

Pointing to a police Transit van he added: "That big white van must be nearly chock-a-block with stuff."

The area is a well-established residential development and is said to be quiet and peaceful.

Surveying the police operation, a Sycamore Avenue resident said: "It is pretty unusual for this neighbourhood."

The man arrested, who is in his 30s, has been released on bail until September 1 pending further police investigations.