Investigators say they have found a black market gun factory on an industrial estate.

On Saturday officers from the National Crime Agency went to Diplocks Way in Hailsham after loud bangs were heard.

Signs outside the business purported to show it as a gearbox repair business.

Three men leaving the building were immediately arrested, with one man being tasered.

The agency says two handguns and ammunition were found, and three men were charged on suspicion of possessing firearms.

Meanwhile the area was cordoned off while officers started a forensic search.

Now they believe they had found machinery used in the criminal manufacture of guns, including a number of handguns at various stages of production.

The agency's head of national firearms threat centre Rob Hickinbottom said: "Our investigation is continuing, and much of what we have discovered at this location will now be the subject of careful forensic analysis.

“We suspect that this operation has disrupted a group that would appear to be involved in the criminal production of firearms.

“As a result we have prevented a potentially large quantity of weapons from getting onto the black market and into the hands of criminals.

“I would also like to recognise the superb support and assistance we have had from Sussex Police throughout this operation – their contribution to this investigation has been and will continue to be crucial to its success.”