A PROMINENT Dartmoor farmer and national park authority member was arrested after police seized nearly 200 cannabis plants at his farm near Chagford, it was revealed this week.

It is understood John Shears, 69, of Lower Nattadon, allegedly was among four men quizzed after a drugs raid on barns and outbuildings last week.

Police, who have not confirmed the identity of those detained, revealed that 189 large cannabis plants with a street value of £75,000 were taken away from an apparent drugs factory near Chagford on Thursday last week.