Barry Tuckman, 51, of Hendon, North London, set up the operation when he rented Inions Farm in Caddington.

At Luton Crown Court on Monday he was jailed for 15 months for cultivating and possessing cannabis.

Richard Darragh, 24, of Watford, who worked for Tuckerman at the factory and also admitted cultivating cannabis, was jailed for four months.

Adam Pearson, prosecuting, said that when the farm was raided on 25 March police found four rooms, with heaters, water and nutrient supplies and hundreds of cannabis plants at various stages of growth.

Robert Garrow, defending, said Tuckman, was now dismayed and disgusted by his conduct which he blamed on a form of breakdown.

After a harrowing divorce, business problems and a mother who was very ill, he had turned to cocaine, which impaired his judgement, the court was told.