The death of a man in Hove was caused by the legal high meow, police have confirmed.

Toxicology tests revealed last night that John Sterling Smith, 46, died after being poisoned by the drug, which is available legally on the internet for as little as £11 a gram.

Mr Smith, who worked at Marks and Spencer in Chichester, suffered a heart attack after taking a fatal dose of the drug.

He was found dead at his flat in Arundel House, The Drive, Hove.

His death is the first in Britain to be proven to have been caused by the drug, known as mephedone, meow, miaow miaow or MM-cat.

Mr Smith’s brother, businessman Roger Smith, 51, from Shropshire, last night spoke of the family’s shock.

He said: "I had no idea he would even try this kind of thing. We were shocked that he died so young, but even more so to find out how he died.

"As far as I know he would not have taken an illegal drug.

"This stuff is legal so people make the mistake of thinking it’s safe. I hadn't even heard of it before but why anyone would experiment with a chemical that is supposed to be a tomato fertiliser is a total mystery.

"If anything at all good can come from John's death, I hope it can be a warning to anyone thinking of trying it - just don't. It could kill you.

"Sadly, people will try it as long as it's legal, whatever the risk. The Government needs to ban it, urgently.”

Two men from Brighton, aged 35 and 40, were arrested at Mr Smith’s home on suspicion of supply of class A drugs on the night he died. They have been bailed until May 5.