A man has appeared in court on firearms and drugs charges following a police operation in Hastings

Shortly after 5am on Friday, armed officers supported proactive intelligence-led searches by local detectives at two addresses in Hastings, one in Grove Road and one in Harkness Drive.

There was no violence or injury during the operation and no shots were fired.

Joshua Sawyer, 29, unemployed, of Grove Road, appeared in custody at Brighton Magistrates Court on Saturday charged with possession as a prohibited person of an imitation firearm, a replica shotgun, with intent to commit an indictable offence, possession of shotgun ammunition, and possession of cocaine with intent to supply.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Lewes Crown Court on 15 May.