A STATIC caravan on a ramshackle farm underwent a makeover which turned it into a cannabis growing operation. Special lighting and heating were installed in the holiday home, and 60 plants were being grown when police raided Cheyney Farm at Wisbech St Mar

A STATIC caravan on a ramshackle farm underwent a makeover which turned it into a cannabis growing operation.

Special lighting and heating were installed in the holiday home, and 60 plants were being grown when police raided Cheyney Farm at Wisbech St Mary last month.

David Shears occupies the farm, and he told police: "I will be honest, I have been growing cannabis in the caravan for my own use."

Inside the main house police found several amounts of herbal cannabis, which Shears admitted growing from seed.

He told officers how he grew the class C drug "on and off" for 15 years, helping to provide pain relief for his late wife, said prosecutor John Masters.

Shears had been growing the present crop for four months; it helped with the depression he suffered since the death of his wife.

He smoked up to 15 joints a day, not to "get stoned", but to help with his illness and panic attacks.

He told police he had started growing the drug using natural light, but needed to install lighting and heating when the nights drew in.

The drug was for his own use, and not for sale.

"There is no evidence of supplying the drug," added Mr Masters.

Shears, 43, admitted producing cannabis and possessing herbal cannabis.

The magistrates warned he could be facing custody, and adjourned sentencing until January 2 for a report to be prepared by the probation service.