THE Hells Angels have arrived in Brighton.

The riders met at Pease Pottage near Crawley before departing at about 2pm.

Crowds gathered on bridges along the A23 to watch the group as they made their way to the south coast.

A Sussex Roads Police spokesman said there were "fewer participants than expected" and said this "should ease congestion".

The first bikers arrived in Brighton at about 2.45pm and there was a heavy police presence in Madeira Drive to meet them.

Motorcycle enthusiast David How travelled from Crawley to see the bikers but said he was "slightly disappointed" with the turn-out. 

The 56-year-old said: "I'm not a Hells Angel. I came for the spectacle but there isn't one.

"I have seen more police officers than bikers, they were obviously predicting trouble.

"But I have got nothing bad to say about the Hells Angels at all. In any large group there is always going to be one bad apple who gives them a bad reputation, but they do a lot of good.

"I have been involved in a lot of the charity events they organise, but they can't do anything right in the eyes of some people, it's a real shame."

Hells Angels from across the world attended the event, with the name of their home club being displayed on the back of their leather vests.

Some of the locations on show included Heilbronn in Germany, Quake City in New Zealand, Switzerland and Belgium as well as the UK.

Many of the riders posed for pictures alongside spectators who gathered along the seafront to see them.

Photographers Sylvia, 65, and Steve White, 66, from the Southwick Camera Club came down to Brighton seafront to capture the scene.

Sylvia said: "There are less of them than I expected.

"I heard there were going to be 700 bikes, but I think I've seen 100 at most.

"They brought a lot of police in for this, but as long as the Hells Angels behave themselves then I don't see any problem."

Before the event an officer confirmed the police helicopter had been deployed in the area to keep an eye on proceedings.

Several police cars and vans remained in Madeira Drive, Brighton -which was the end point of the Hells Angels' mass "ride out" - throughout the club's visit.

Shortly before the bikers arrived a Sussex Roads Police spokesman said: "We've now made the decision to close the entrance to Madeira Drive in Brighton so no new vehicles allowed in.

"Any leaving vehicles will now go via Dukes Mount."

Members of the California-based motorcycle club were taking part in a "Euro Run" event between Pease Pottage and Brighton.

They did this to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the opening of the club's first UK branch.

The event attracted riders from across the world, with police estimating up to 3,000 motorcyclists would arrive in Sussex to take part.

In the lead-up to the event 34 arrests linked to the Hells Angels event were made in Sussex and Surrey, all for the possession of drugs and offensive weapons.

As a result, Sussex Police issued a warning that people should expect a larger number of officers in Brighton and Hove this weekend.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE: 34 arrests linked to Hells Angels event>>>

The riders left Madeira Drive shortly before 5pm and were escorted by police as they travelled out of Brighton.