Residents have expressed their disappointment at the closure of a popular Thai restaurant.

Lemongrass in 55 Church Road in Hove closed its doors in September and is now being listed to let for £60,000 per year. Residents took to social media to say they were “gutted” at the closure with others citing the importance of “community support” for local businesses.

One said: “It's tough these days for all restaurants. The only way to keep them going is by going to them often (even just once every three or four months makes a difference).

"I don't think that any government, Labour, Tory, etc. will truly support them. It really has to be about community support, which is (understandably) quite limited these days.”

Others said the restaurant had deteriorated in recent months and that they preferred the family-run Thai restaurant, Chili, which is located across the road.

Tom Graves property agency describes the restaurant as “superbly fitted” in a “thriving commercial thoroughfare”.

The premises comprise a ground-floor restaurant, front terrace, rear kitchens and lower ground-floor WCs.

Lemongrass was one of four restaurants across Sussex with a second, in Horsham, also recently closing. Restaurants in Brentwood and Burgess Hill are now the remaining two.