A suspect package identified on the route of Brighton Pride's parade has been blown up in a controlled explosion.

Bomb disposal experts were called to Hove seafront following the discovery of a item police were concerned about.

A cordon was put in place to prevent members of the public from accessesing the scene on Kings Road.

The Brighton and Hove Pride parade was delayed for an hour and a half. Organisers, working with Sussex Police, decided to re-route the event which travelled from Lansdowne Place, along Western Road and then via its original route from the Clock Tower.

Chief Superintendent Nev Kemp said: "We are working with Pride organisers to resolve the situation as quickly as possible and ensure the safety of those attending Pride celebration as well as those going about their daily business in the city."

The suspect package identified was detonated in a controlled explosion by army bomb disposal experts, which is normal procedure police said.

The area on the A259 by the bandstand was cordoned off until 3pm.

A Sussex Police spokeswomand said there was no risk to the public.