A cannabis farm discovered in a burning loft is among the more unusual cases dealt with by a housing association this year.

The 50 plants were found when firefighters were called to a blaze at a Southminster house in February.

Moat, which owned the property, said the cause was a plastic water pipe for watering the plants had overheated.

It was among the cases handled by Jacqueline Farman, the housing association’s antisocial behaviour officer.

Although the cannabis factory was “very unusual,” she said drug use is not uncommon.

Apart from complaints about drugs, her current job includes dealing with issues such as domestic violence, noise nuisance, criminal damage and barking dogs.