Drug dealers who hid crack cocaine and heroin in children's parks have been jailed for a total of 21 years.

Karl Freeman and John Lee ran what was described by a judge as a "well-planned and professionally-executed" drug-dealing ring, which netted them up to £3,000 per day.

The Liverpudlians hid drugs in bushes, under pots and in holes in walls in three parks in Hove.

They returned to the parks to dig up the stashes during the day to stock up their supplies.

They employed drug users or "mules" to store 20 wraps of the narcotics in their mouths and would drive them around Brighton and Hove to customers.

Freeman, 24, and Lee, 28, both of no fixed address, travelled to Sussex and stayed in hotels while dealing the drugs.

It is estimated the men netted about £110,000 during a four-month period at the start of this year.

The pair were convicted of conspiracy to supply drugs following a trial at Lewes Crown Court after two of their former employees gave evidence against them.

Jailing them, Judge David Rennie said: "It is a filthy trade that destroys young lives.

"What was particularly appalling was that you hid your drugs in parks where young children played."

Lee, who had a previous conviction for supplying drugs, was jailed for 11 years while Freeman received a ten-year sentence.

The parks used by the pair were Benfield Valley, Wish Road and Hove Park.

Chief Inspector Stuart Harrison said the pair were the biggest drug dealers in Hove.

The operation was led by Detective Constable Ian Thompson, who said: "We hope it sends a message to anyone thinking of dealing in this deadly trade."