A bus joyrider left a trail of damage after getting behind the wheel of a double-decker - the second such incident in days.

The vehicle was parked near Hove railway station when it was taken early on Sunday.

The joyrider drove a short distance through central Hove, hitting and damaging a number of parked cars.

The vehicle had been parked in Goldstone Villas ready to pick staff up for Sunday's early shift.

It was taken at 3.20am and moments later struck four parked cars in Clarendon Villas.

The joyrider carried on for a short distance before abandoning the bus and escaping on foot up Goldstone Street.

The bus was only slightly damaged.

Bus company managing director Roger French said security would be reviewed following this incident and the earlier one, nine days ago.

Then, a single-decker was taken from the depot in Conway street and driven for a mile through the same area of Hove.

He said: "There are obviously some peculiar people in Hove at night who go around stealing buses. These people are pretty sick to be honest."

He added: "We are in the process of changing our security arrangements but we are going to make sure we speed that up."

Police investigating the latest incident are appealing for witnesses. They are particularly eager to trace a taxi driver who was in the area and may have seen what happened.

Anybody with information should contact Sgt Bruce Eyre of Hove police on 0845 6070999.