A BMW seized from a convicted drug dealer has been put on display to show other crooks they will be made to pay for their crimes.

The silver car, with a burgundy leather interior, was taken from Hastings dealer Ian Judges when he was jailed after being caught with almost £4,000 of amphetamine, ecstasy, cannabis and cocaine as well as several weapons and a large amount of cash.

Sussex Police have emblazoned it with the slogan "car seized from a local drug dealer" and plan to take it around the county as a warning that people will not be allowed to enjoy the trappings of a criminal lifestyle.

It was unveiled for the first time at the 999 Emergency Services display event on Eastbourne seafront over the weekend.

Visitors crowded around to look at the ill-gotten vehicle.

Det Chf Insp Nigel Smith said: "This previous owner is in jail. He's lost his liberty and his motor. This is an eyecatching demonstration of our commitment to seize assets from those who profit from drug dealing and cause misery to others. It also shows that we will continue to target drug dealers at all levels."

Six months ago Judges, 37, from Albany Road, Hastings, was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court to four years in prison for possessing drugs with intent to supply.

The conviction came after police went to raid his home in November 2006 with a drugs warrant.

Judges arrived home in an Alfa Romeo T Spark as the operation was underway.

Officers searching the house found 200mg of amphetamine, an ecstasy tablet and 1.57g of cannabis resin as well as a gas gun and a homemade stun gun. More than £3,800 in bank notes was found in his utility room.

Further enquiries revealed that Judges owned the BMW and when the car was searched officers found 148g of cocaine, worth £3,626.

When he was convicted Judges was ordered to pay £9,660 under the Proceeds of Crime Act or serve an extra four months in prison.

The BMW was seized as part of the payment.

Chf Supt Nick Wilkinson, East Sussex divisional commander, said: "Over the past two years I have seen the impact we can have when targeting criminals' assets. This is a fantastic illustration of what we can achieve by working closely with the community where these criminals are living."

The force asked for anyone with information about drug dealing to contact them on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Last week officers arrested a suspected drugs boss after raiding a house in Elm Drive, Hove , and discovering a cannabis factory with around 400 plants.