A DRUGS raid on an Oxford house this morning uncovered a home-grown cannabis garden which was seized by police.

Families in Chatham Road awoke to door-knocks from officers who found rows of the pungent plants sprawling across the floor in a neighbour's home. 

Residents in the street, opposite Nisa Local shop in Abingdon Road, had mixed views about the discovery.

One mother said: "There was a riot van parked outside at about 7.30am and a silver car which I think was undercover. Police were knocking on the doors  - it's quite a surprise. I would never have guessed it although I have smelt weed quite a few times."

Another woman, who has lived in the street for more than 40 years, added: "I saw two police vans go past as I was drawing my curtains at about 8.15am and thought 'what's going on'? They didn't have their sirens on. 

"It's quite surprising. We don't hear of anything like that going on around here but then people do keep themselves to themselves. It never used to be like that, everybody used to know everybody. It's not like that anymore."

A photo of the plants released by police showed foil surrounds and warm lighting which had been constructed to help the drugs grow.

But further up the road, residents were less shocked.

One health worker said: "There's been drugs around here before", while her neighbour added: "It's not surprising at all."

Thames Valley Police has not yet revealed exact details of the raid.