Campaigners have started a petition to save a beach closed because of safety fears.

Councillors and campaigners have joined forces to collect signatures objecting to the closure of Newhaven's West Beach.

The beauty-spot was first shut in 2006 but reopened last year after a protest campaign.

It was closed again earlier this year when the owners blamed health and safety problems caused by crumbling concrete on the sea wall.

Newhaven Port and Properties, which owns the beach, said it would employ a warden to patrol the stretch of sand.

However, the France-based company later claimed it was not possible and closed the stretch of coastline.

Town councillor Carla Butler was bitterly disappointed by the closure of the beach and fought for it to be reopened last year. Then she, along with a team of campaigners, collected more than 1,000 signatures in support of reopening the beach.

She said: "When it was reopened last year they said they would provide a warden but this was not realised.

"We recognise there are safety concerns but, with a bit of goodwill, these could be addressed."