POLICE found 33 cannabis plants growing in a hydroponic system when they searched a house in Clayton-le-Moors, a court was told.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Ranjiv Thind, 37, had the windows in the room blacked out. He later told police he was growing the drugs forn his own use.

Thind, whose use of drugs was said to have been extensive, had not tried his hand at cultivation before and was said to have been surprised at how well the plants grew.

The defendant was given five months to prove he can keep his nose clean after a judge said she wanted to see if he could stay out of trouble.

Recorder Tonya Griffiths said she wanted Thind to carry on making progress in his battle with drugs and co-operate with agencies providing counselling.

Thind, of Edward Street, Haslingden, had earlier admitted cultivating cannabis, last September. Sentence was deferred until November 13.

Roger Green, prosecuting, said Thind said he had bought the plants for £12 each from somebody he didn't name and the growing equipment had cost him about £1,200.