A coachload of Newcastle United football fans were left looking for an alternative way of getting home from Brighton after Saturday’s match when their driver was arrested for being stoned.

The driver was reportedly spotted smoking a joint during the Brighton and Hove Albion v Newcastle match at the Amex stadium on Saturday evening.

Police made their arrest, leaving the coach without a driver.

But Brighton and Hove Albion and the club’s official travel partner, Seagulls Travel, managed to to arrange relief drivers so that the stranded Newcastle fans could get home.

They were delayed, according to an insider, but at least they were helped home as quickly as possible.

A police spokesman said: “A 48-year-old man from Ashington, Northumberland, arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a vehicle while over the limit for drugs, has been released under investigation pending further inquiries.”