Police seized a haul of suspected illegal drugs and weapons and rescued a python in a series of raids on city crack dens.

More than 20 officers from Brighton and Hove police took part in swoops on four flats at different locations around the city yesterday.

In a flat at Goldstone House in Clarendon Road, Hove, they found the 6ft python inside a duvet cover on the floor.

It was later taken away to a rescue centre by an RSPCA vet.

Four men aged between 28 and 50 and a teenage girl were handcuffed as the flat was searched.

Police also confiscated a decommissioned handgun and a stash of live ammunition.

In a raid on a property in Third Avenue, Hove, police found a large amount of suspected crack cocaine and a shotgun.

Several people were arrested.

Inspector Rob Carden said "This was part of an on-going campaign against people using premises to supply drugs."