Pictures of a police raid which uncovered what officers have described as a “million pound” cannabis farm have been revealed.

The discovery was made in the early hours of Sunday morning, at a property in Lowther Street, Whitehaven.

It is estimated there were about 1,300 cannabis plants at the property.

Two men were subsequently arrested in connection with the discovery.

Albanian nationals Xhona Leka, 28, and Gjergi Braculla, 39, jointly face two charges.

One alleges the possession of cannabis with intent to supply, while a second charge alleges production of the class B drug.

Leka, of The Dene, Wembley, North London, appeared first at North and West Cumbria Magistrates’ Court in Carlisle yesterday.

Braculla, of Archdale Place, New Malden, Kingston upon Thames - appeared in court, separately, about an hour later.

He pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Magistrates committed the case to Carlisle Crown Court, where a plea and trial preparation hearing for the two men is due to take place in front of a judge on June 26.

Leka and Braculla - who was assisted by an interpreter dialling into the hearing over a phone line - were both remanded in custody by magistrates after applications for bail made by their respective solicitors were refused.

Two men from Manchester, aged 27 and 30, were also arrested on suspicion of producing cannabis and have been released on police bail.

Police are continuing to appeal for anyone with any information to contact them on 101, email 101@cumbria.police.uk, or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting log 27 of May 24.