Campaigners for the legalisation of cannabis staged a protest outside two Worthing police buildings and the town's magistrates' court.

The action was timed to coincide with the appearance in court of three men on drug charges.

Members of the 70-strong group toured the town centre and visited Worthing police station in Union Place and Highdown divisional headquarters at Centenary House in Durrington.

Chris Baldwin, 52, of Carnegie Close, Worthing, who ran the Quantum Leaf cafe and adjoining Bongchuffa shop in Rowlands Road, Worthing, appeared before magistrates yesterday with employees Mark Benson and Adrian Allday.

Baldwin did not indicate a plea to charges of possessing and supplying cannabis and allowing premises to be used for the smoking of cannabis on November 27 last year.

Benson, 37, of Irene Avenue, Lancing, denied supplying cannabis and permitting premises to be used for the smoking of cannabis.

Allday, 37, of Leconfield Road, Lancing, denied permitting premises to be used for cannabis smoking. All were bailed until April 1.