A MAN has pleaded guilty to growing over 250 cannabis plants in the bedrooms of a quiet house in Waltham Abbey.

The Guardian reported in May that the house in Poplar Shaw was raided after police officers spotted a white van "acting suspiciously" at 2:20pm on Friday(May 29) and smelt a strong cannabis smell.

The owner of the house, 30-year-old Cuong Van Le, appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday (July 17).

He pleaded guilty to growing the plants and has been remanded in custody to appear on Monday August 3 for sentencing.

The hearing was adjourned while police worked out the street value of the cannabis.