A man stole a bus from outside a depot and took it on a joyride leaving a trail of destruction, police said today.

The red single-decker bus collided with six parked cars and a police patrol unit in the short distance it was driven through the streets of Hove.

Police patrol units and the police helicopter were involved in the chase which came to a halt at Wilburry Crescent.

The Brighton and Hove bus was stolen from outside the Fonthill Road depot.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "The bus collided with two parked cars and then hit a stationary police car in Wilburry Villas.

"The bus was then pursued by police officers and the force helicopter. It collided with four more parked cars in Burton Villas.

"Officers managed to persuade the driver to stop in Wilburry Crescent and a man was arrested."

No one was hurt during the incident but police say the damage caused will run into thousands of pounds.

A man, in his mid-30's, from Hove, was being questioned by police.