Motorists face a parking blitz next week in a bid to clear busy town centre streets.

The crackdown begins in Hove on Monday, with police promising tough action against drivers.

Vehicles found illegally parked faces an instant ticket. Cars left parked for longer periods could be towed away.

Town centre CCTV cameras will be used to monitor parking in main streets including Western Road, Church Road, Blatchington Road and Boundary Road.

Traffic wardens and police officers will be sent to deal with conjestion caused by bad parking. And in some cases, CCTV footage will be used as evidence if illegally parked drivers decide to challenge their tickets.

Sergeant Jim Mann, of Hove police, said: "This is a no-nonsense initiative to make the streets of Hove safer.

"Anyone parked on yellow lines, approaches to pedestrian crossings, or double parked will be given a ticket.

"We are determined to keep the town's streets clear for traffic and for emergency vehicles.

"A team of seven traffic wardens supported by uniformed police officers will enforce the parking regulations."

The crackdown on illegal parking is set to continue indefinitely and is part of a tougher policy being taken by Hove and Shoreham police chief Superintendent Graham Cox.

He has ordered more officers onto the streets in a high-profile campaign to drive down crime and make residents feel safer.