A second Sussex policeman has been arrested on suspicion of downloading child pornography.

The Brighton-based officer was taken to a station for questioning and released on bail pending further inquiries.

He has been suspended from duty and experts are understood to be sifting through his home-based computer system for evidence.

Sussex Police currently have an FBI list of 150 child-porn suspects living in the county and most will be paid a visit.

A Hastings-based policeman was arrested last Tuesday on suspicion of the same crime.

He was suspended on July 25 and both have been ordered to return to a police station in October.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "None of the alleged offences relate to their work with the force.

"It must be remembered this is not a victimless crime and our actions are about protecting children.

"These images are extremely unpleasant and those who purchase them are perpetuating the abuse of the child victims round the world."

The arrests came after the FBI handed British police a list of 2,000 names and addresses of subscribers paying to view child porn web sites, an offence punishable by up to five years in prison.

The names have been distributed to forces around Britain and each is now investigating their own suspects.

The names emerged earlier this year when the FBI smashed an international child porn ring and arrested more than 80 people in 20 states across America.

Among those charged were Catholic priests, a police officer, a nurse and a school bus driver.

The US Justice Department said this was the most significant crackdown ever attempted against child porn.

Eighty-nine people were arrested and charged with receiving and transmitting graphic sexual images of children over the internet.

The FBI investigation began 18 months ago when an undercover agent in Houston discovered three computer message groups.

There have since been more than 230 searches in 20 states. One suspect in Arkansas committed suicide.

Those arrested have been described as pillars of the community. They include children's baseball coaches, foster carers, priests and judges.