Police praised hundreds of campaigners who staged two trouble-free anti-war demonstrations in West Sussex at the weekend.

Almost 600 people took to the streets of Chichester and 50 joined a protest in Worthing on Saturday over the threat of war with Iraq.

The Chichester march was organised by Chichester and District Stop the War Coalition.

Demonstrators walked around the historic city walls to East Street, finishing at the Cathedral Green. After about an hour of speeches, the gathering dispersed quietly at 1pm.

The event was praised by the city's police, who made one arrest.

Acting Chief Inspector Brian Bracher said: "With the help of the organisers of the Stop the War Coalition we were able to ensure that their lawful protest went as smoothly as it did while minimising disruption to the community.

"There were no problems and only one arrest, which was of a man attempting to disrupt the speakers on the Cathedral Green."

The 41-year-old man was arrested for being drunk and disorderly.

Among those who took part were a number of students and staff from University College Chichester.

Oliver Mann, a third year English student, said: "The fact that the crowd was as diverse in age and political standing was extremely positive."

In Worthing about 50 campaigners from Worthing Against War took part in a "die-in".

Members of the group took over Montague Place and lay on the ground as if dead.

Joy Hurcombe from the group said: "It was similar to a sit-in but we showed what will happen if bombs are dropped on innocent people.

"We wanted it to have a lot of visual impact and I think we achieved that."