Firearms officers swooped on a city centre pub to arrest a gunman.

The man was leaving The Zone bar in St James Street, Kemp Town, Brighton, when police pounced on him.

Shocked drinkers watched as he was pulled to the ground and arrested by officers with guns.

Police subsequently retrieved a stun gun – a Taser-style weapon that can disable a victim if fired.

Members of the public alerted police to the man’s presence in the pub prior to him being arrested.

Sharon Barr, the landlady of The Zone, said: “He walked into the pub but did not even buy a drink.

“He then walked over to another customer and spoke to them before walking out.

“Then my staff told me that the police arrived and he was pulled to the ground outside the pub. He was arrested and taken away.”

Police later thanked members of the public for tipping them off about the man.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “Armed officers assisted in the arrest in the St James Street bar on Sunday evening at around 7.30pm.

“Nobody was hurt in the incident, it appears that no threats were made and the man co-operated with officers.”

David Adams, 34, of Charlotte Street, Brighton, has been charged with possessing a stun gun and possessing cannabis resin.

He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Brighton Magistrates’ Court today.