RESIDENTS on a Melksham village estate sparked a police drugs bust through a series of tip-offs, a court heard.

People living in Mount Pleasant, Atworth, told police officers they believed a drug dealer was living in their street.

Police raided the house of Jeffrey Jones last month and found canna-bis plants growing on the windowsill.

Rolls of banknotes, bags of cannabis seeds and cannabis resin were also found during the operation.

During police interviews Jones confessed he let friends smoke joints in his house but denied he ever sold them drugs.

Window fitter Jones, 32, admitted three drugs charges before magistrates in Trowbridge on Thursday.

Prosecutor Lynn Swain said Jones was at home when police burst in and cannabis plants were seized. A police dog was used to search the house.

Mrs Swain said: "Mr Jones was asked if there was anything in the premises that may harm the dog or if there were any more drugs."

Jones said drugs were in the kitchen and police seized a quantity of cannabis resin.

Jones' wife Tina said over the last few months she had became aware of her husband cutting up resin and wrapping it.

Mrs Jones said friends often visited their house on a regular basis.

Jones said he grew the cannabis because he liked the smell.

In addition to the drug seizures, police found £355 in bank notes lying about the house.

Roger Stanbury, defending, said Jones was not a drug dealer and denied ever smoking cannabis himself.

He said: "Mr Jones took a relaxed view about people smoking cannabis on his premises but doesn't actually smoke himself."

Jones admitted charges of possessing cannabis, producing cannabis and allowing cannabis to be smoked at his home.

Magistrates fined him £140 with £118 costs.