An illegal rave was raided by police who seized a van full of alcohol and escorted people out of Sussex.

Police were called to the empty Old Astoria Bingo Hall, in Gloucester Place, Brighton, just after 7am on Saturday when 30 people broke-in.

The group told police they were in Brighton for the Essential Music Festival and had brought generators with them.

Throughout the day they unloaded music equipment into the building and environmental health officers, who believed they were planning a rave, served a noise abatement notice.

Just after 7.20pm more than 30 officers, three police vans and police dogs arrived and went into the bingo hall with a warrant.

Inspector Julie Wakeford, of Brighton police, said: "A large quantity of alcohol was seized and the people left with their sound systems and were escorted out of the county."

Insp Wakeford said the group was from out of the area and had planned the rave for people leaving the Essential Festival when it came to a close about 11pm.

The group of 30 organisers left peacefully.