TWO men were found to be growing cannabis plants at their homes in the Ludlow area, a court heard.

Quantities of drugs and plants were discovered after Kevin Edwards and Jake Evans were stopped in a car in July last year.

At Shrewsbury Crown Court, the pair avoided prison and were given 12-month community orders.

Judge Jim Tindal said the defendants each had his own 'drug farm' but when they were stopped they had the appearance of being two active drug dealers.

Evans, who was said to be producing cannabis on a significant scale, must complete 150 hours unpaid work, and Edwards, whose level of cultivation was consistent with personal use, must do 80 hours.

Both men must each pay £750 towards the court costs.

The defendants were due to have faced trial of possession of drugs with intent to supply and possession of criminal monies.

The offences were ordered to lie on the file after Edwards, 47, of Dodmoor Lane, Ludlow, and Evans, of Oak Cottage, Caynham, near Ludlow, both admitted offences of cultivating cannabis.

Mr John Oates, prosecuting, said police stopped a green VW car driving towards Caynham on July 15 last year.

He said Evans was driving illegally as his mother was the only person insured to drive the vehicle.

Edwards was in possession of a small quantity of cannabis and officers found £2,480 in cash in the glove compartment.

He said that Evans gave two false addresses which caused distress to one elderly lady at one of the addresses.

Police later found a dismantled cannabis factory at Evans' Caynham address and his fingerprints and quantities of the drug in storage boxes which had an estimated street value of almost £3,500.

Three plants were found growing at Edwards' home which he was cultivating on his own account.

Mr Paul Smith, for Evans, said his client had started smoking cannabis when he was 15 and had not wanted to meet dealers.

He said Evans was a carpenter and had worked hard to reduce his use of cannabis.

Mr Niall Skinner, for Edwards, said his client worked as a decking contractor and had smoked cannabis to help with mental health issues.

Judge Tindal made a confiscation order against Evans under the Proceeds of Crime Act regulations.

Evans benefit from criminal activity was said to be £3,430 and the confiscation order was made in the sum of £2,480 - the cash seized by the police.