A fairly routine call to lock out non-paying commercial tenants recently turned into something more for Tony Ledger of Dukes Bailiffs.

Attending a North London take-away Tony and his locksmith made a routine entry through the front electric shutter door but were unable to open a middle door even though it was slightly ajar.

Reverting to the back door, the team came across a recently abandoned cannabis 'farm', complete with evidence of by-passed electrics, foil, even a few wilting plants.

Tony duly called in the constabulary and it seems highly likely the departing tenants will soon be faced with something more than a demand for the rent.

"We're assuming that they did a runner when they realised we were going to pay them a visit," said Tony, "you might say all their plans have gone up in smoke."