Sunseekers should be banned from using disposable barbecues on Hove Lawns, according to a residents group.

The Friends of Brunswick Square and Terrace say the black scorch marks across the lawns caused every summer cost £25 a time to repair.

Football players cause further damage.

The group is now calling for new bylaws to prevent Hove Lawns, as well as Brunswick Lawns and Palmeira Square, from being damaged.

It has written to Geoffrey Theobald, Brighton and Hove City Council's cabinet member for the environment, about the issue and walked around the area with Brunswick and Adelaide councillor Paul Elgood.

Chairman Tom Chavasse said the damage had occurred over several years and said signs asking people not to use disposable barbecues on the lawns should be put up.

He said: "We are after new by-laws. The seafront has bylaws but there aren't any new ones for the Lawns.

"There were by-laws for Hove and by-laws for Brighton but they are very old.

"When Brighton and Hove City Council combined they should have done that and brought them up-to-date but it hasn't happened yet.

"So there is nothing to stop people having barbecues there."

The Open Spaces Society has the maintenance contract for the lawns but when it comes to making significant changes it is the responsibility of the council.

Mr Chavasse said: "Our proposal is to see that the maintenance contract is backed up by a programme of refurbishment. There was very bad damage to the grass last year by the circus.

"We are about to get summer again and there are no notices there about using disposable barbecues they do a huge amount of damage in Brunswick Square, Palmeira Square and Hove Lawns.

"If a notice went up we think it would deter about 95% of people from having barbecues.

"It costs 25 to repair each one of those patches of grass which has been damaged and it breaks our hearts every time the damage happens.

Councillor Elgood said: "It needs to be better managed so people do not burn the grass. We have long called for the council to set up dedicated barbecuing sites for everyone to enjoy."

Brighton and Hove Councillor David Watkins said: "It's very sad that it has been allowed to deteriorate to this stage.

"Grass that grows that near to the beach is very precious to us and when it is under our feet we tend to ignore it until it goes wrong. The lawns have been illtreated and it s not very nice. I hope we get it sorted."

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokeswoman said: "Green spaces, including lawns, are for the enjoyment of all and we want residents and visitors to have fun without causing damage to the environment.

"The council has doubled our park ranger service and they visit areas regularly, giving advice on looking after our parks, lawns and countryside. Reviewing bylaws is a lengthy process so we are actively encouraging people to act responsibly."