The Sussex coastline is damaged and declining, according to a report published today.

Analysis of the condition of the marine environment says the coastline is showing "significant stress and low resilience to continuing pressure".

The report, by the Government's chief wildlife advisor English Nature, said the findings were an alarm call for people who use and manage the coast and care about its future.

Chairman Sir Martin Doughty said there should be a shift in priorities and a more integrated approach to setting policies and regulation.

The report says the Sussex coast is a hugely important natural resource, whose spectacular cliffs, shingle beaches and expanses of salt marsh are home to a unique range of animals.

Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters, Brighton beach and Chichester harbour are just a few of the attractions that draw in millions of tourists every year.

The Sussex cliffs contribute to sea defences around the UK. Silty material and flint, eroded from the base of the cliffs helps shore up beaches and salt marshes.

But the report says Sussex is suffering from coastal squeeze, with widespread loss of wildlife habitat as rising sea levels push against man-made coast defences.

The county is home to 20 per cent of the UK's vegetated shingle, but it is disappearing because of pressure from development and recreation.

Saltmarsh is also being lost.

The West Sussex Shingle Project and the East Sussex Coastal Biodiversity Project are working to reverse the damage.

The Seasearch Project is using 40 volunteer divers to map 24 underwater sites of wildlife interest.

Nitrogen input to the seas around the UK has risen by 20 per cent and fish stocks are declining.