Eastbourne's criminals are being encouraged to drop their guns and drugs into amnesty boxes in pubs and clubs.

Police are placing boxes and metal detectors in venues across the town to counter violence and drug abuse.

The scheme has been organised by Sussex Police, the Eastbourne Crime Reduction Partnership and Eastbourne Pubwatch.

It will be launched tonight at the Bourne Inn in Pevensey Road, Eastbourne.

Police promise drugs and weapons can be deposited "with no questions asked".

However, landlords are not entirely convinced the idea will catch on.

Publican Steve Hartley, landlord of the Gildredge pub in Terminus Road, Eastbourne, said: "I support anything the police are doing to reduce crime.

"But I am not sure whether I would want an amnesty box in my pub. It might attract unsavoury sorts, something I am trying to avoid."

Chief Inspector Martin Stevens, Eastbourne borough commander, hopes the scheme will reduce crime.

Mr Stevens led officers on a successful drugs operation last Friday in which six people were arrested.