Residents are clubbing together to buy a former beer warehouse and turn it into an eco-friendly community and business hub.

A group called the Lewes Community Partnership have put in an offer on the former Harveys depot in Pinwell Road, Lewes, which they hope will be transformed into a market, organic bakery, cafe and mix of other Sussex business including artists studios and a natural health centre.

They have until Friday, May 4, to get the money together and are asking residents and businesses in the town to contribute cash in exchange for a stake in the new development.

Keith Rapley from the LCP said: "Our interest in this area is not commercial - none of us are seeking financial gain. What we are excited about is seeing a space being developed for the Lewes community by residents, local businesses and indeed any other people interested in seeing such a project thrive.

"We want to buy this site for the town and to establish it as a thriving area for local businesses."

The campaigner said he wanted Lewes residents who contributed to feel part of the ground-breaking new development and would pay interest on whatever people choose to invest.

Contributors would also be issued with shares in the LCP company, set up specifically to deal with redevelopment projects which boost the town as a community rather than "just fill it with extra housing".

There are also calls for businesses interested in moving to the new site to make themselves known.

Already keen to be part of the new development are architects BBM Sustainable Design, complementary health centre Equilibrium, fair-trade food merchants Just Trade, renewable energy specialist Southern Solar and artists studio Standard 8.

The group also asking for help from volunteers with specific skills.

It is the second time residents in Lewes have decided to club together to buy land in the town. A group called Phoenix Action is also planning a not-for-profit community bid to save an area from a multi-million pound housing development.

Campaigners said plans for the Phoenix quarter of the town from developer Angel Properties would irreversibly damage the areaís appearance and put Lewes further at risk from flooding.

They hope to buy the land themselves so the developers can't touch it.

Anyone wanting to give money to the scheme can use a secure PayPal account, pledge any amount they want at www.lewescommunitypartnership.co.uk or call 01273 473 651