POLICE are investigating nearly 180 sham marriages of immigrants in Sussex.

Last night detectives were quizzing four people, including a vicar, after carrying out a series of dawn raids.

Officers from the UK Border Agency and Sussex Police went to the addresses following an 18-month investigation into the sham marriages.

As well as the vicar, a Ukrainian man, a Latvian women and an Armenian man were arrested.

A church, an eastern European advice centre and three homes were searched as part of the investigation.

The unions are alleged to have been arranged to allow people from outside Britain and the EU to stay in the country illegally by claiming residency through marriage.

Non-EU nationals can obtain a residence card when they marry which allows them to stay in Britain and gives them permission to work.

Permanent residency is only allowed after five years of marriage.

More than 35 officers from the UK Border Agency's Joint Immigration Crime Team and Sussex Police carried out the raids.

The Reverend Alex Brown, 61, from St Peter and St Paul Church in St Leonards, was arrested on suspicion of facilitating the illegal entry of people into Britain.

He was arrested at his home in Bloomfield Road, St Leonards.

The 32-year-old Ukrainian man and a 27-year-old Latvian woman, believed to be one of the brides, of Anglesea Terrace, St Leonards, and a 36-year-old Armenian man, of Linton Court, Linton Road, Hastings, were also arrested for the same alleged offence.

Police also searched offices at the church, leaving with evidence bags, and a centre for eastern European advice and translation in Kings Road, Hastings.

According to British law marriages of non-EU nationals in Church of England churches require a certificate of approval from the UK Border Agency.

Applications for UK residency were suspended 18 months ago for people married at St Peter and St Paul Church while the investigation was going on.

Detective Inspector Andy Cummins, of the UK Border Agency's Joint Immigration and Crime Team, said: "Today's arrests follow an 18-month investigation into allegations that nearly 180 sham marriages had been arranged at the local St Leonards church, allowing non-EU nationals to remain within the UK and EU member states.

"Search warrants were obtained and officers have searched premises and arrested three men and a woman, who will be questioned later today."

A spokesman for the Chichester Diocese said: "It is with great sadness and regret that the Bishop of Lewes has received a report of the arrest of the Rev Alex Brown, the Vicar of St Peter's.

"The Church has been cooperating fully with the police and other agencies since the extent and seriousness of this matter came to light.

"The bishop is concerned for the wellbeing of the congregation at St Peter's, who will be upset and hurt by the news.

"He has taken steps to ensure they are looked after pastorally and every support is being given to help church life continue as normally as possible.

"The Church requires high standards of its clergy. In that light, the Rev Brown has been suspended from his duties pending the outcome of the investigations."