This is the family man helping squatters to take over empty businesses, The Argus can reveal.

Dave Adam, 40, has his own house, partner and a daughter, but is staying in a squat helping Brighton and Hove’s homeless population find shelter inside boarded up businesses.

He is currently staying at the Brewery Tap pub in North Road and helping co-ordinate the King of the Squatters contest – reported in The Argus on Tuesday, where whoever gains ‘six squats’ is crowned King – as a protest about the city’s homeless situation.

Inviting The Argus into the North Laine pub – which has been closed for almost a year – Mr Adam said: “We didn’t break in. We have legally taken possession.

“We have not caused any damage, nothing has been taken and we have even cleaned it up.

“We are organising King of the Squatters to make a political point. It’s a legitimate protest.

“We have been planning it on Facebook for months. It’s happening all over country. “These squats are like an unofficial hostel. These people would otherwise be on the beach or in doorways.

“People all over are taking possession of vacant buildings and letting homeless people stay there.”

Mr Adam says he invited homeless people sleeping on the city’s streets, the seafront and outside the First Base, a support service for rough sleepers, to stay in squats in commercial premises around the city.

Around 12 have been staying in the Brewery Tap for the past few nights.

He added: “I live in Brighton and have a partner and child. I’m doing this to highlight the plight of the homeless.

“I spoke to the owner and told her we’re squatting here. We have legally taken possession.

“We didn’t break in. The police arrested two people who broke in.”

Mr Adam said he was also in contact with a group of squatters occupying the Mariner pub in East Street and said he would be helping them fight eviction proceedings at Brighton County Court on Friday.

Sussex Police is aware of the occupation of squatters in the Brewery Tap but it is not believed that an eviction notice has been served.

To see a video of the inside of the Brewery Tap squat visit theargus.co.uk.