A Wherstead businessman has denied being involved in a conspiracy to grow £1.8m worth of cannabis plants.

Ian Bacon, 66, of Bourne Terrace, Wherstead, pleaded not guilty to a single charge of conspiring to produce a class B drug.

Bacon appeared at Ipswich Crown Court today to make his plea and hear the trial date beings set, along with five other defendants, Leonard Armstrong, 62, of Tacket Street, Ipswich, of Bourne Terrace, Wherstead, Saulius Lileikis, 38, of Bredle Way, Aveley, South Ockendon, in Essex, Georgina Cooper, 40, of Junction Road, Norwich, and John Cooper, 72, of Junction Road, Norwich,.

A previous hearing had heard how police discovered a cannabis factory at Great Bricett on Friday, October 18, 2019, when than 2,500 cannabis plants, estimated to have a value of nearly £1.8 million, were found within a number of buildings.

Judge David Pugh set the trial date for November 7, 2022, and it is expected to last three weeks.