Village traders faced with five months of road works threatening their livelihoods say they are relying on local support to survive.

Peter Hampson, chairman of the Hurstpierpoint Traders' Association, met officials from gas supplier Transco, along with traders and parish councillors last night The company plans to replace 7km of cast iron pipes in the village with new plastic ones as part of a nationwide replacement scheme.

Due to start on June 2, the project will run until October, closing the High Street for up to two months and causing traffic disruption.

Traders, still suffering from five months of ongoing road works due to mains replacement by South East Water, fear this could be the last straw.

Mr Hampson, who owns the New Inn pub on the High Street, said he fears three businesses in the village could close as a result of the road works.

He said: "It was as I thought - it has all already been decided.

"But as it's going to be done, the most important thing is for local people to back us. We're going to be open as normal and will be doing all we can to keep things going. But people are scared."

Transco officials gave out information on how to claim compensation.

But Michele Bole, of Hampers delicatessen and caterers, said: "What about compensation for lost business in the future? It takes years to build up a clientele and five minutes to lose it."