Eight arrests were made in less than 48 hours over drug dealing in a seaside town.

Following on three arrests on Thursday last week, officers made five more the following day after searching two addresses and garages in Eastbourne.

At the two addresses in Leslie Street and Prideaux Street, more than 450 cannabis plants were seized as well as 20kg of harvested cannabis, which was worth £140,000 alone.

At this stage it is not possible to estimate the value of the growing plants.

Officers also found three presses set up for the preparation of cocaine for sale in the garages.

Jetnar Maxhari, 36, of no fixed address, and Julian Rama, 27, of Leslie Street, were charged with production of cannabis.

They were due to appear in custody at Brighton Magistrates Court yesterday.

Three men, aged 36, 27 and 39 were arrested on suspicion of the supply of cocaine and were later released on police bail until September 11 while enquiries continue.

Terrell Davis, 21, of Blenheim Gardens, London, and Paul Nolan, 32, of St Aubyns Road, Eastbourne, were charged with possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin, worth £2,000, appeared in custody at Brighton magistrates court on Friday after they were arrested on Thursday.

All three were remanded in custody until June 4.

In a separate sting, a 46-year-old taxi driver, Darren Agg, of Kingfisher Drive, Eastbourne, was charged with possession with intent to supply cannabis and heroin.

Chief Inspector Emma Brice said: "We respond to the needs of the community by proactively policing areas where there are reports of drug dealing.

“If anyone has any concerns about crime in their neighbourhood they should contact us."