Police found a suspected cannabis factory at the scene of a series of gas explosions that gutted several homes yesterday.

The drugs were found in one of the affected properties but are not believed to have contributed to the fire, a spokesman said.

Firefighters have returned to the scene in South Ashford this morning to investigate the blasts, which have left several people homeless.

Two people were taken to hospital suffering from the effects of breathing in smoke, and seven others were treated by medics at the scene - including one man who suffered minor burns.

It is thought gas engineers had been working on the homes earlier in the day, and the Health and Safety Executive has launched an investigation.