Three men arrested after illegal gun factory uncovered at East Sussex industrial estate

A "sophisticated" illegal gun factory has been discovered on the edge of an East Sussex town, the National Crime Agency said.

On Saturday evening officers from the NCA’s Armed Operations Unit were deployed to Diplocks Way in Hailsham as part of a live investigation.

Investigators found what they believe to be a "large-scale" operation in a warehouse describing itself as a gearbox repair business on an industrial estate.

Officers arrested three men found leaving the building and had to use a Taser on one of them, an NCA spokesman said.

Two handguns and ammunition were found.

The site has been cordoned off while investigations continue.

A thorough forensic search of the site has taken several days, but officers have found what they suspect to be machinery and components used in the criminal manufacture of firearms and ammunition.

This included a number of handguns in various stages of production, as well as what appears to be templates and metal for use in their fabrication.

Greg Akehurst, 29, of no fixed address, and Mark Kinman, 63, of Bramwell Mews, Hailsham, were both charged with possessing a firearm.

Kyle Wood, 30, of Gratwicke Drive, Littlehampton, was charged with the same offence as well as possessing ammunition.

The trio were remanded in custody and are due to appear at Kingston Crown Court on September 17.