Police and bailiffs forced entry to an old bank building being used as a community centre by squatters - and found it empty.

Officers and a police dog searched the former Co-operative Bank in Ship Street, Brighton, but found no one inside.

The self-styled community group, called Spor, moved into the building on January 23 and staged art displays, environmental lectures and other activities.

An eviction order was granted last week but Spor supporters announced they would defy the court and barricade themselves inside.

When bailiffs arrived yesterday morning there were several people inside. Banners were hanging from windows. The group refused to communicate with the police or bailiffs.

When they returned unannounced in the afternoon they found the building empty.

Bailiff Dave Bridle said: "We asked them to leave at about 11am but no one would talk to us. We decided to leave and when we returned at 3pm everyone had gone."

Workmen boarded up and secured the former bank, which closed last October.

Spor supporters earlier claimed they wanted discussions with the Co-op to become caretakers of the building until the bank's own lease runs out in March.

Spor was formed in May 1999 when the group occupied a building in London Road.

A spokesman for Co-op said the bank was responsible for the building and had acted legally to evict the squatters.