Limburg police have discovered an estimated 18,500 marijuana plants hidden in woods close to the border with Germany following a tip-off.

The mixture of mature and young plants were growing in between the trees and shrubs. Police also found two water storage tubs which were used to water the plants in dry weather.

The plantation was hidden in a wood on the Sint Willbrordusdijk in Reuver, between Venlo and Roermond, and not visible from either the air or the road.

The plants are currently being removed by hand but agricultural machinery will be brought in later on Tuesday to speed up the clearance. According to one estimate, they could have had a street value of some €14m.