EIGHT people have appeared in court after more than £1million of cannabis was uncovered by police at a derelict pub in Billericay.

Cops uncovered 1,500 cannabis plants during a raid on the former Belvedere pub in Crays Hill.

The eight people appeared at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on Monday, all charged with drugs offences.

The court heard police were called to the Belvedere in Hardings Elm Road, Crays Hill, following reports of an attempted break-in at 11.10pm on Friday evening.

After going to the pub on Friday, officerswent back and executed a search at 7pm on Saturday when they discovered the cannabis factory.

They arrested eight people on suspicion of drugs offences.

Ingrida Aleknaviciute, 27, of Wherstead Road, Ipswich, denied two counts of possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

Edmond Koleci, 26, of Morley Avenue, Wood Green, did not enter a plea to the charge of production of cannabis.

Gazmend Daci, 26, of Wherstead Road, Ipswich, denied two counts of possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

Kieven Smith, 28, of Burrell Road in Ipswich, denied possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

Jeremiah Dill, 30, of Black Horse lane, Ipswich, denied possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

Vietnamese nationals, Tuan Dang, 28, of no fixed address and Hong Tran, 45, of no fixed address, both did not enter a plea to the charge of producing a class B drug.

Micheal Bridger, 31, of Fishponds Lane, Holbrook, denied possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

They were remanded in custody to appear at Basildon Crown Court on June 16.