Environmentalist and human rights campaigner Dame Anita Roddick has waded into an issue on her doorstep to stop the development of fishing lakes.

The Body Shop founder, who has been made an OBE and a dame, joined forces with residents in her village of Warningcamp, near Littlehampton.

They called an emergency meeting after learning of the proposal to build two fishing lakes on protected downland and accused Arun District Council of trying to rush through the plan.

The opponents are concerned they are unlikely to get an environmental impact study, which must be carried out on any land which is designated as outstanding or protected, despite a letter from local MP Howard Flight.

Dame Anita, 60, who attended the meeting, said the scheme was a commercial venture "striking at the heart of an unspoilt, beautiful village and an area of outstanding natural beauty".

Developing the lakes would mean deep excavation of land and access roads and parking for about 100 cars would be built.

Local resident Paul Winner said: "It really is a scandal nothing is being done about looking into this.

"Quite clearly, the lakes would be on protected land and they can't just barge in here expecting to get the go-ahead."