Nine people were arrested on a stretch of Brighton beach where traders say drugs are easier to buy than ice cream.

A dozen officers swooped on the Lower Promenade last night after complaints that dealers have turned the area into a war zone.

Sniffer dogs uncovered £500 worth of cannabis and ecstasy tablets in the first of a series of operations which will continue through the summer.

Traders on the seafront applauded last night's action, saying the dealers' brazen activities have spiralled out of control in the past few weeks.

Police say turf battles have broken out on the shingle with rival gangs clashing for the best pitches.

One trader, who asked to remain anonymous fearing reprisals, said: "They are there every day, 16 hours a day.

"I've seen them smoking with kids in school uniform and then dealing to them. And it's not just weed, it's pills and crack as well."

Another said: "It's only a matter of time before someone gets hurt. I've heard that a gun has been seen already and I've seen them fighting among themselves with 9in knives and knuckledusters when there are women walking past with babies in prams at four in the afternoon."

"They hide it all over the beach so that whenever police come along they don't have anything on them.

"I'm in a war zone here. It used to be from 7pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday but now they're open for business before we are in the morning "It's dreadful. They do it right in front of our eyes and boast about how many customers they've got and how much money they earn."

One trader pointed to a patch of blood on the ground and said: "That's from the other night when they had another fight among themselves. There was an awful lot of blood.

"It's embarrassing when they are openly dealing in front of the customers.

"I turn away because I don't want to see it but they do it right in front of us. I can't spend my whole life turning away.

"We often close early because the atmosphere gets threatening but we don't want to tell the customers why."

Another trader added: "It's easier to buy drugs here than it is to buy an ice cream - you have to queue for an ice cream."

The main thrust of last night's operation was to capture suspects wanted for drug-related violence.

Those arrested - eight men and one woman - were questioned about crimes including possessing drugs with intent to supply, making threats and assaults.

One was cautioned, three were released on bail pending further inquiries and four remained in custody for interview by Immigration Service officers who joined last night's operation.

One man is believed to have overstayed in Britain, another is a failed asylum seeker and the remaining two are suspected of immigration irregularities.

The operation was organised by PC Danny Baker and assisted by CCTV operators.

Chief Inspector Lisa Pearcey said the campaign to clean up the seafront would continue.