A WOMAN who allowed drug dealers to set up a cannabis farm at her home in a bid to fund her father's funeral has been ordered to hand over £5,000.

Chareen Millward faced a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing at the Nightingale Court at Bolton Stadium on Friday, June 4.

When police raided 30-year-old Millward's home in Tonge Moor Road, Bolton on November 14, 2019, they found 24 cannabis plants in the loft.

A sophisticated system was in place to grow the plants including lighting, ventilation, timers and fans to control the temperature as well as the electricity meter being bypassed.

Last year, Millward, 31, of Tonge Moor Road was sentenced to a two year community order. As part of the order she also had to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and participate in 20 days of rehabilitation activities.

The Friday hearing found that Millward had benefited from the crime to the tune of £39,975.19 - but was found to have only £5,000 in realisable assets.

Recorder Imran Shafi ordered Millward to pay the sum back within three months or be sent to prison for two months. The drugs and growing paraphernalia were also forfeited and destroyed.

In addition, she must pay a £90 victim surcharge.

In a previous statement to police, Millward said: "I found out my father was terminally ill, I had financial problems.

"I approached some people I knew would help. They installed all the equipment and, in return for letting them grow they would cover the cost of my father's funeral.

"All I had to do was top up the water. I have never been involved in growing cannabis before and this was the first time I did it.

"It was out of desperation, I have never harvested or sold cannabis. I am truly sorry for what I have done."

Millward added that she had installed the ventilation system at the property because she wanted to avoid a smell from the cannabis.

But the mum-of-one did not reveal who had set up the cannabis farm at her home.