A protest could bring a city centre to a standstill today.

The Brighton March for Free Education is taking place from The Level in Brighton from 2pm.

Those taking part are expected to march through the city centre.

In December, more than 400 demonstrators brought traffic to a halt as they staged a similar protest from The Level to Churchill Square Shopping Centre.

During the event they targeted a number of stores including Starbucks, Barclays and Topshop.

Despite a number of officers escorting them, activists stormed the shopping centre and tried to get inside Topshop.

The group ended up outside Brighton Town Hall where they lit a flare and chanted.

Hundreds have indicated on the group’s Facebook page they intend to take part in the demonstration today.

A message on the page said: “The fight for a public university, fully funded by progressive taxation, is an important part of the struggle against the austerity that is being imposed upon us.

“So, if you’re fed up with low wages, extortionate rents and crippling debt, march with us on January 31 against austerity and for free education.”

Police officers will be on duty to try to keep disruption to a minimum. But officers have said protest organisers have so far been unwilling to speak to the force about their plans.

Chief Inspector Katy Woolford said: “We hope that they will make contact with us so that we can work with them to minimise, as far as possible, the effect the protest will have on the city.

“Residents and visitors can expect to see a visible and reassuring presence from police officers on Saturday but this is aimed primarily at helping keep people safe.

“It is vital that anyone taking part in the event complies with directions or other restrictions that officers may need to make to keep people safe. We are also working closely with travel companies, including Brighton and Hove Buses, to ensure any impact on the city is kept to a minimum.

“We have a duty to balance the rights of people to carry out a peaceful protest with allowing those who wish to go about their normal business in the city to do so but we have to prioritise public safety and preventing crime and disorder.

“Anyone who has concerns can speak to any of our officers in the lead up to the event or on the day.”