A CANNABIS farm was uncovered in the loft of a prison officer’s home when a police officer noticed peeling wallpaper on the ceiling.

John Lee Fairclough, 35, admitted cultivating the £16,000 crop after officers investigating a separate matter noticed a strong smell coming from the upstairs of his house.

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Preston Crown Court heard PC Warton visited the Chorley house on August 26 to speak to Fairclough about a complaint made by his partner.

But inside the house the officer noticed the wallpaper peeling and suspected there was dampness coming from the loft space.

Further inspection revealed the loft had been boarded out and lined with silver paper and a propagation system with humidity controls and lights on timers had been set up.

A total of 34 high-grade cannabis skunk plants were seized and with an estimated yield of 1.163kg, which would amount to more than 1,600 street deals, magistrates were told.

Francis McEntee, prosecuting, said: “This could not have been simply for personal use.”

The court heard Fairclough, of Peel Street, Adlington, has been suffering mental health problems and is no longer working at HMP Wymott, where he was a prison officer.

However he has been undergoing treatment and hopes to complete a course to enable him to work in the construction trade, and has a job offer lined up.

Recorder Mark Ainsworth adjourned sentencing Fairclough for six months, telling him: “You have pleaded guilty to this serious charge.

“You understand the court takes a serious view of people who produce controlled drugs.

“It is quite clear this was a relatively sophisticated cannabis set up because the loft had been converted or adapted.

“It seems to me that there has been a good deal of improvement in your condition.

“There is some hope for the future.

“What I want to see is a continued improvement along with the establishment of a trade and work.

“You must do everything you can to put your life back in order.”

The judge will pass sentence on September 2.