A VIETNAMESE man who agreed to act as gardener for a sophisticated secret cannabis farm has been jailed for 18 months.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that 41-year-old Dung Nguyen had taken on the role in return for a free roof over his head.

He was arrested after the police were called to a house in Sherlock Lane, Wallasey, on September 4 last year because of a gas leak.

There was a strong smell of gas outside the house but they were unable to raise the occupants and the fire brigade had to be called.

Fireman broke into the house and found Nguyen asleep in the lounge and when awoken he was confused and spoke limited English, said Miss Hannah Squire, prosecuting.

When police searched the house they found upstairs 341 young cannabis plants, which would have yielded a harvest with a £14,000 street value.

They also discovered a sophisticated hydroponic system, involving lighting, heating and ventilation estimated to cost £20,000, she said.

When questioned Nguyen said he had been asked by a friend to stay at the house and in return for free accommodation he just had to feed and water the cannabis plants.

Nguyen, who has previous convictions, including possessing drugs, pleaded guilty to being concerned in producing cannabis.

Jailing him Judge Denis Clark said that Nguyen had been recruited to carry out the donkey work.