A CANNABIS factory has been discovered at Sidcup Snooker Club, in Sidcup High Street.

The factory, containing more than 500 plants and thousands of pounds worth of hydroponic equipment, came to light when shops beneath the club complained to the owner water was leaking through their ceilings.

News Shopper understands the ceilings eventually gave way on July 20 and gallons of water gushed into Superdrug and the neighbouring picture framing shop.

Police were called just before 9am by the club owner and seized the plants which were growing in an area at the front of the club, which had been partitioned off and rented to a third party.

Following the flooding, Superdrug was closed for the week to clean up and repair the damage.

Officers from Bexley CID are now investigating.

In the meantime, the discovery is likely to lead to a review of the club’s licence.

In December last year owner Daniel Haselden failed to get planning permission to allow pole dancing at the club.

At the time, he said he needed the added attraction for his business to survive in the current economic climate.