A MEMBER of Dartmoor National Park Authority and a former National Farmers' Union chairman appeared in court on Tuesday, charged with producing cannabis at his Dartmoor farm.

John Shears, 70, of Lower Nattadon Farm, Chagford, has been accused with the production of cannabis.

A second man, 26-year-old Daniel Perryman, of Exeter Road, Kingsteignton, Devon, is facing the same charge.

Both men entered 'no plea' when they appeared before Exeter magistrates court.

The case was sent to the city's Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on October 31 and both were granted conditional bail.

Prosecutor Karen Ball claimed the farm was used as a cover for the sophisticated growing of cannabis and told the court that 189 cannabis plants were seized in a police raid in May.

Mr Shears, who is taking leave of absence from the DNPA, is a former chairman and vice chairman of the Devon branch of the National Farmers' Union.