A man was arrested after police seized 50 firearms during a raid on a house in Mid Sussex.

Officers executed a search warrant yesterday at 8.30am for a house in Stephenson Way, Three Bridges, as part of an investigation into the illegal supply of firearms.

Customs officers joined police in the raid following a tip-off.

They recovered firearms, which included air weapons, replicas and firearms capable of firing bullets.

The guns are believed to belong to a registered firearms licence holder.

A significant quantity of ammunition was also seized.

Officers, who were not armed, arrested the man who was taken from the house and was being questioned last night.

DC Gary Newman, of Crawley CID, said: "This operation was initiated by Customs and Excise, which worked in partnership with Sussex Police to safely execute a warrant.

"We have also been working with Surrey Police and although this was not a firearms operation, the police at Crawley seized up to 50 firearms."

Crawley's police commander, Chief Inspector Kul Verma, vowed anyone with illegal weapons would be hunted down.

He said: "This raid builds on the recent gun amnesty which Sussex Police carried out.

"It clearly shows to those who have an inclination for using any type of illegal firearm, real or otherwise, that they will be pursued."

No one has been charged in connection with the haul.

Sussex Police have received hundreds of firearms surrendered to officers since the launch of a guns amnesty earlier this year.

The force says there may be many reasons why people might own guns and ammunition, which could include war souvenirs passed on following the death of a relative.

The amnesty was launched in advance of new legislation, which will make it an offence to possess a replica firearm or air weapon in a public place without reasonable excuse or lawful authority.

The legislation will ensure a minimum five-year sentence for the illegal possession of a firearm.