Police failed to evict protesters from a peace camp set up to protest against a factory which makes components for fighter jets.

Campaigners set up the camp at Wild Park, near the EDO/MBM factory in Home Farm Road, Moulsecoomb, Brighton, on Monday.

Ten officers turned up at the camp at 4pm yesterday and told the protesters they were being evicted under a by-law.

Officers said they had until 6pm to leave the camp but changed their minds after it turned out that they did not have the authority.

Neither the chief executive or council officers from Brighton and Hove City Council, which owns the parkland, had asked for police assistance.

Protester Robin Horsell said: "Some people began packing up their stuff but then the police did an about turn and informed us we didn't have to leave."

Coun Keith Taylor, leader of the Green party, said: "I clarified the council's position, that the council had not requested police assistance and didn't intend to evict the protesters. It was neither the intent or desire of the council to have those people moved on.

"In my view, the police are being heavy-handed in their policing of the protesters.

"I sense there is growing public support in the opposition to EDO's continuing manufacture of components for the armament industry in Brighton."

Sussex Police were unavailable for comment.