A car linked to the bungled suicide bombings in London on July 21 was discovered in Sussex yesterday.

Police swooped on the Nissan Primera in Goldstone Crescent, opposite Hove Park, shortly after 7am.

Scotland Yard confirmed the vehicle was connected to the four men who are suspected of trying to inflict terror on a London bus and on the Tube.

No bombs were found in the car but the vehicle was loaded on to a flatbed lorry and taken away for forensic examination.

Experts will be looking for traces of explosives or clues to devices used.

The discovery in Hove has hardened the link between the would-be bombings and Sussex.

It came only three days after six men and a woman were arrested in connection with the inquiry in a flat in Dyke Road, Brighton.

Another of those being held was released last night, leaving just three men being questioned at an undisclosed police custody centre in Sussex.

Forensic experts yesterday continued searching Fairways Flats, where the seven were arrested, and a semi-detached house in Southall Avenue, Moulsecoomb, Brighton.

Residents in Goldstone Crescent were shocked as they saw Metropolitan Police anti-terrorist officers, local police and forensic experts surround the Nissan.

They said the vehicle had been abandoned there about two weeks ago, shortly before the failed suicide bombings.

Goldstone Crescent is lined with detached houses and flats overlooking Hove Park.

A retired doctor, who did not want to be named, said: "I noticed the car had been there for about two weeks.

"It had a flat front tyre but the tax disc was dated until the end of August. It was completely empty inside.

"The police will not do anything about it if the tax is in date so I did not report it as abandoned.

"I was surprised when eight police officers turned up in four cars and started looking over it.

"They were wearing surgical gloves and examining it quite closely.

"They taped off parking spaces and the footpath so people could not walk by.

"They took great care lifting it on to the truck. I did not see any officers with guns."

After the July 7 bombings in London, which killed more than 50 and injured more than 300, Muslim leaders in Sussex warned there were extremists in the local community.

After the seven arrests in Dyke Road, Imam Dr Abduljalil Sajid, leader of Sussex Muslim Society, said Sussex Muslims supported police action.

He said: "Sussex Muslims utterly condemned the cowardly attacks and explosions in London.

"As the police have a duty to protect us all, it is the duty of all citizens to support our police and give all possible information needed.

"We ask every citizen to become the eyes and ears of the police for any information to prevent any act of terror.

"It is our duty as responsible citizens to support our police in these testing times and to be vigilant at all times."