Almost £1.5 million was spent by Sussex Police in Brighton and Hove during the last five years controlling protests by nationalist groups.

A Freedom of Information request has revealed 77% of the money spent on protest operations related to demonstrations by the English Defence League (EDL) and March for England.

Overall, nearly £1.9 million was spent on policing protests and demonstrations between 2010-14.

A spokesman for Sussex Police, said: "All operations of this nature are carefully planned and budgeted to ensure that the policing need is achieved at the best possible price for the public purse."

The operation last year separated 150 nationalists from 1,000 anti-fascist counter-demonstrators.

Violent clashes during the April 2014 protest resulted in 27 arrests.

It was not possible to calculate how much of the cost could be attributed to counter demonstrations but police said it was a significant part of the overall policing operation.

The police spokesman said the force hold contingency funds so operations are not directly affected by the cost.

Policing EDL demonstrations cost over £10 million nationally in the four years up to 2013.

Sussex Police said they do not expect a similar protest in Brighton in 2016, but March for England organisers have said they hope to return to the city.

Mat Silva, an organiser of March For England (MFE), told The Argus: “I would love to come back to Brighton, 100%, but it has to be for the right reasons.

“The main consideration will be seeing if it affects local businesses."