A man used a “sophisticated set-up” to cultivate cannabis that was valued at £56,000.

Canh Phan, 28, was involved in the production of a “significant quantity” of cannabis.

The growth was discovered at a house in Blackburn on June 30 and the 291 plants that were seized weighed more than 5kg.

Upon his arrest, Phan made a no comment interview.

Judge Heather Lloyd said: “It’s a classic set-up.

“The account you provided of how it is you came to this country is something the courts are all too familiar with.

“It is accepted by the prosecution you had a lesser role.

“The only mitigating feature is your lack of previous convictions in the UK.”

Phan, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to eight months in prison.