They may look like Christmas trees - but this is in fact a secret football-pitch sized cannabis forest that was uncovered in London today.

Police were left stunned when they found the jungle of 6-foot high plants in the wealthy, leafy suburb of Kingston upon Thames.

Officers posed for pictures alongside just some of the astonishing haul, before posting the snaps on Twitter.

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“Called to a few cannabis plants. We found a forest! #CannabisTrees #TheseArentXmasTrees #WeedKiller,” said one tweet.

“Welcome to the leafy suburbs of # Kingston! ;-)” added another.

Police had been tipped off about several suspicious smelling trees in a remote wasteland in the Grove ward neighbourhood.

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But they were surprised to find such a large number.

Officers have now secured the area, according to the Evening Standard, and are searching for the growers.

“The area these plants were growing on was the size of a football pitch, it looked like a small forest of Christmas trees and was complete with a gazebo,” PC Sarah Henderson told the newspaper.

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“Whoever set this up used a really remote spot - the only way to get there was a 20 minute walk through wasteland,” she said.

“But all their time, trouble and gardening skills will go unrewarded, as the whole lot will now be destroyed by police,” she added.

It is illegal to grow, possess or distribute cannabis, which has been a class B drug since 2009.