Police who turned-up at a Mid Sussex house during a drugs raid were greeted by an innocent elderly couple in their 70s.

The pensioners were stunned to find eight officers in stab vests and protective masks on their doorstep in quiet Beckett Lane, Langley Green, Crawley, at 7.15am this morning.

One officer carried a shield and battering device to break down the door if necessary.

The couple, who wish to remain anonymous, swiftly saw the funny side.

The 72-year-old woman said: "I think it's hilarious, I can't stop laughing.

"To think our front room might be a crack den, it's a great joke.

"Our neighbours found it very funny too. They know we're not dealers."

Her husband, aged 74, who had answered the door to officers when they rang the doorbell, said: "I can't fault the police.

"All it means for us is getting up a couple of hours earlier than normal.

"I'd rather get up early if it means the police keep on looking for drug dealers.

"They explained it was a mistake and told us if they had broken down the door, they would have sent officers to repair it."

Police had been issued a warrant to search the house based on intelligence from an informer but admitted it was clearly the wrong place.

Detective Inspector Steve Fulcher, who headed Operation Mask, said: "The Langley Green operation was based on a number of pieces of intelligence from many sources, including an informant.

"Inevitably the success rate is not 100 per cent, especially when dealing with new informants.

Operation Mask was one of two simultaneous warrants acted on by officers this morning.

The second, Operation Nightfall, in Broadfield, Crawley, led to two arrests and seizures of what police believe are class A drugs.

DI Fulcher said: "The second operation was accurate. Officers are carrying out the search at the moment.

"I don't know the quantities as yet but it looks as though the drugs may be class A."