Police have arrested a Brighton woman in connection with an alleged fraud by animal rights activists.

A total of 35 people have now been arrested nationwide by the National Crime Squad, six of them from Sussex.

The woman was among six people picked up around the country yesterday alleged to be involved in swindling tens of thousands of pounds out of the Government's Department for Education and Skills.

They are said to have fraudulently claimed money from the Individual Learning Account programme, set up to encourage people to study outside the education system.

Detectives believe the money was used to gain information about scientists involved in legitimate research, to support extremist animal rights activity and to fund activists' lifestyles.

The crime squad said some of the suspects were believed to be "key players" in the world of animal rights extremism.

Eleven people were arrested on September 18, two of them from Sussex, and a further 18 on October 4 when three Sussex people were picked up.

Those from Sussex are from Haywards Heath, St Leonards and Brighton.

All were subsequently bailed without charge pending further police inquiries.