Protesters clashed with police in an anti-war march which brought Brighton to a standstill.

Three were arrested when 200 activists took part in a peace demonstration in the city on Saturday.

Around 100 police officers formed human barriers to prevent the protesters marching into the shopping area along North Street and Trafalgar Street.

When they were unable to get into Churchill Square, the marchers held a sit-down protest at the roundabout on the seafront next to the Palace Pier.

Police had to divert traffic out of the city centre and away from the pier.

They accused the demonstrators of acting unlawfully by refusing to inform them of their proposed route.

The group had intended to walk past the Royal Pavilion, up Trafalgar Street, down Church Street and along Western Road but police wanted them to walk along the seafront.

The marchers, from Sussex Action for Peace, hit back at the allegations, claiming the police were heavy-handed.

SAFP activist Nicki Hardwick said: "They totally overreacted. They were behaving as if we were terrorists when all we wanted to do was let our views be known.

"At one point, when we were trying to get up Trafalgar Street, police got their batons out.

"We have not got the luxury of time that would allow us to spend hours and hours at the police station negotiating our route. The bombing of Iraq could begin any day now, so we must act quickly."

Fellow SAFP member Chris Osmond added: "The police tried to stop us going up Trafalgar Street, which was a bit counter-productive. If they had allowed us to continue our original route it would have saved them a lot of trouble."

One man arrested for possession of a knife was cautioned and released by police. Two other people were arrested for obstruction.

Superintendent Peter Coll, in charge of policing the march, said: "What person goes on a march carrying a knife and why? Wasn't this a peace march?"

Mr Coll said there was a minority of people taking part who were determined to cause problems.

He said: "The majority acted decently and were there to express their views which is fine.

"But I am saddened the organisers failed to talk to us before this event. I feel they do their cause a disservice by acting unlawfully.

"It has always been our intention to facilitate lawful and peaceful protests but closure and disruption of the main coast road and a city centre packed with Saturday shoppers is unacceptable."

Sussex Action for Peace (SAP) will assemble at the Festival Theatre car park in Oaklands Park, Chichester, at 11am on Saturday.

On Saturday, March 15, there will be a demonstration in Lewes organised by Lewes Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. Protesters will walk from County Hall along High Street from 10.30am.

Campaigners will make £1 Pancakes for Peace - free for children - at the Brighthelm Centre in North Road, Brighton, tomorrow between 5.30pm and 7pm.