Campaigners held a picnic to call on Southern Water to drop a greenfield site from

its list of potential locations for a new sewage works.

The Friends of Sheepcote Valley have pledged to camp at the site if the company wins planning permission to build in the area, east of Wilson Avenue, Brighton.

Members practised putting up tents during the protest picnic.

Campaigners from the group were planning to demonstrate at the water company's Worthing headquarters today before a board meeting.

Campaigners from Peacehaven were also due to picket the meeting, concerned a site east of the town may be chosen for the plant.

Southern Water expects to announce where it wants to build later this month.

Upper Sheepcote Valley and Peacehaven East are among eight sites being investigated for sewage works for Brighton and Hove.