A cannabis factory was discovered in a large Black Country home – once owned by a late leather industrialist who just a day earlier had been the subject of a memorial service.

Police raided the house in Buchanan Road, Walsall, just 24 hours after family and friends of its former owner, Leon Jessel, planted a tree at the town’s leather museum in his memory.

Today neighbours said Mr Jessel, who died in 2006, would be “turning in his grave” if he knew what had become of his beloved home, which was once visited by Princess Anne.

Neighbours in the quiet, well-heeled road which overlooks Walsall Arboretum were stunned when officers emerged from the large property carrying dozens of cannabis plants on Saturday.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: “We’ve no idea who owns the house now but it was to let. Leon was very meticulous and pernickety. Everything had to be just right. He must be turning in his grave about this.”

Another resident Michelle Nicklin, aged 41, added: “Dozens and dozens of plants up to 4ft high were brought out. This was not an amateur job at all.”

Princess Anne made a private visit to the house in January 1992 to have tea with Mr Jessel, when he was the upper warden of the livery company Worshipful Company of Loriners, of which the princess was master in the same year.

A statement from West Midlands Police said: “On arrival a number of bagged cannabis plants were found. The plants have now been removed from the property.”