POLICE are urging residents to come forward with information after a cannabis factory was found in Hillingdon.

Neighbours alerted the police on New Years Eve after they became suspicious of the smell and excessive heat coming from the property in Midhurst Gardens.

Officers raided the house at 3pm and found more than 300 cannabis plants in the lounge and the three upstairs bedrooms. In each room police found lighting rigs and timers, ventilation ducts and thermometers.

Tha plants have now been seized, the house boarded up and the electricity and gas supply turned off.

Officers are now looking for seven people, described as of oriental appearance, who have been reported coming in and out of the house.

Five of them are boys in their late teens and two are women, one in her late 20s and the other in her 40s.

Inspector Andy Jones of Hillingdon Police is urging residents to come forward and let officers know of any drug activity they might be suspicious of in their area.

Inspector Jones, said: "Since cannabis was downgraded from a Class B to a Class C drug, it's cultivation is becoming more common.

"This is another successful raid by the police and we would like members of the public to inform us if they suspect the smell cannabis or any unusual activity."

An investigation is underway and anyone with information can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.