JUNKIES high on cocaine are fuelling the city's drug "epidemic" by snorting the powder in toilets and changing rooms across the city, it can be revealed.

Public toilets in Brighton and Hove have become the centre of a "huge drug problem" after The Argus found traces of the Class-A drug in loos throughout the city.

Our investigation discovered lines of the drug sniffed from toilet seats and nappy changing stations - just metres away from some of Brighton's biggest attractions.

Councillor Dawn Barnett described the discovery as "disgusting" and slammed Brighton and Hove City Council for not "stopping" the problem.

Using Cocaine wipes that turn blue once in contact with the presence of the drug, our reporter wiped seven of the busiest loos in the city - all of which came back positive.

In one case, cocaine was found in West Pier Arches under the shadow of the i360 - just seconds after cleaning staff had finished wiping down surfaces.

The six other loos included Brighton railway station, Shelter Hall, Madeira Drive, The Pavilion, Hove lagoon and Western Esplanade.

In one shocking case cocaine was found in the family changing room at the Shelter Hall toilets, where the entrance is on the beach level.

Responding to the findings, Brighton and Hove City Council said it could not stop people snorting the drug in public toilets and that it was a "matter for the police".

A spokesman said: “It is often the case locally and nationally that people who use cocaine do so in toilets – including those located in pubs, bars, restaurants, and shops as well as public toilets.

“The council has no powers to stop people using cocaine. That would be a matter for the police.

“The council’s public toilets are cleaned regularly. However, it is simply not possible to give each toilet a thorough clean after each and every use.

“The council works with Sussex Police to tackle drug use in the city, and will continue to do so.”

The Argus: Lines of cocaine were found at Brighton Train Station Lines of cocaine were found at Brighton Train Station

Between September and December of last year, Sussex Police disrupted ten drug dealing lines – eight of which were linked to County Lines – resulting in the arrests of 37 people.

Nineteen of these were charged and remanded and eight have already pleaded guilty.

The findings come just months after The Argus discovered that drug dealers were targetting children outside school gates while using Instagram to flog gear.

The dial-a-drug services used social media while assuring "safe delivery" and advertising illegal drugs including cocaine, marijuana, LSD and magic mushrooms.

Images of white powders, pills and cannabis were visible after a simple search on the popular website, which is owned by Facebook.

Instagram has since deleted all of the accounts revealed by The Argus that violated their rules, which include buying, selling, trading, donating or soliciting drugs.

Conservative cllr Dawn Barnett, who claimed drug gangs were following pensioners home and using their flats for dealing, said the city's drug problem has now reached "epidemic" levels.

The Argus: Cocaine in the 'family room'Cocaine in the 'family room'

She said: "We have got a huge problem in the city. - a huge drug problem.

"Dealers are dealing in cars, on the back of food carriers on bikes, taxis are delivering it.

"There is a huge problem in the city.

"The council can do something about it, they can put that grit stuff on top of the systems and stop them from snorting.

"They've got to."

Between September and December of last year, Sussex Police disrupted ten drug dealing lines – eight of which were linked to County Lines – resulting in the arrests of 37 people.

Nineteen of these were charged and remanded and eight have already pleaded guilty.

Detective chief inspector Cath O’Connor said: "The sale and distribution of illegal drugs is something Sussex Police takes extremely seriously and our officers work tirelessly to catch the perpetrators and safeguard those most at risk of harm.

“Not only are they harmful substances in themselves, the exploitation and violence which is part and parcel of the drug trade has a devastating impact on those involved.

“We have a dedicated team which investigates drug supply in Brighton and Hove, and works with neighbouring forces, including the Metropolitan Police, to clamp down on County Lines gangs, shut down their drug dealing lines and disrupt their activities."