A MINI cannabis farm was accidentally uncovered after a suspected arson attack on a block of flats.

More than 20 plants were found when police were called to investigate a fire in Walmersley Road, Bury.

A 32-year man was given a caution for cultivating a Class B drug after the discovery was made on Monday morning.

The man had called the fire brigade himself when a fire was deliberately started in a neighbouring flat at about 1.40am.

When firefighters arrived to tackle the blaze, they discovered arsonists had broken in upstairs and started two fires.

It is believed the offenders used wheelie bins to climb onto the roof at the back of the building.

That enabled them to break in through a kitchen window into an empty flat.

They then set fire to a bedroom, as well as starting a blaze outside the door of a flat opposite. A Greater Manchester Fire Service spokesman said: “We managed to contain the fire to the bedroom area but the bed was destroyed and there was damage to the door of another property.

“When police arrived they found a small cannabis farm in the cellar of another flat.”

Greater Manchester Police said the fire was being treated as deliberate and inquiries are ongoing.