It is the fifth protest by Traders Against Parking Persecution

Around 40 vans were driven slowly along the seafront towards Hove Town Hall from 0800 GMT, aimed at causing maximum disruption and congestion.

It is the fifth similar protest held since last summer by Traders Against Parking Persecution.

The group was formed to campaign against new rules meaning workers have to collect special �3 waiver passes every time they want to park.

Stricter parking enforcement

Other protesters tried to board buses carrying ladders to prove they needed to use their own vans.

Several changes have been made to the parking regulations in Brighton and Hove in the last few years.

A number of roads which had previously been free to park on were made pay-parking areas, with streets in Hove particularly affected by the most recent changes.

And stricter enforcement of parking regulations saw the waiver system for traders brought in.

Workers such as plumbers, electricians and builders have to buy the tickets and display them in their van windows before they can legally park their vehicles on yellow lines to work nearby.

To avoid parking fines previously many had simply placed notices in the windows saying where they were working.

Ladders on buses

Members of TAPP say the current system costs them too much money and time, with traders having to buy new waiver passes every day.

An extra element was added to the latest protest, with workers attempting to board buses in the city while carrying ladders and other equipment.

The move was aimed at showing council claims they should make more use of public transport were impractical.

Brighton and Hove City Council says it has already made major concessions over traders' parking.