An Ilford man has been arrested in connection following a probe into alleged council corruption relating to contracts worth more than £18 million.

The unnamed official, 51, was held on suspicion of misconduct in public office and corruption at his address in Balfour Road, Ilford.

He was one of four people arrested by Surrey and Sussex police after search warrants were executed at five addresses at 7am yesterday.

The arrests came at the end of an investigation launched in November 2013, looking into allegations of the improper awarding of Brighton and Hove City council contracts worth more than £18 million.

The suspect contracts were awarded over the past ten years to a property management company providing the homeless with temporary accommodation.

A 57-year-old man was arrested at an address in Harlands Road, Haywards Heath.

Another man, 53 was arrested at an address in Elms Road, Clapham.

The final man, 67, was arrested at an address in Ashvale Drive, Upminster, Essex.

The four have been taken to Brighton for questioning.

Later the same morning, a warrant was also executed at a business address in Queens Road, Brighton. No arrests were made.

At each address computers and documents were seized for examination.