Sitting on a burnt-out sofa, surrounded by filthy litter and needles, a heroin addict prepares himself for another hit.

This is the scene at an abandoned car park in the North Laine area of Brighton, which has become a dangerous den for drug addicts. And nearby traders are sick of it.

Since the Vine Street car park was closed almost two months ago, the area has been turned into a derelict wasteland that has destroyed a once attractive area.

Families are scared to walk the street, businesses are being ruined and crime constantly rears its ugly head.

Heroin addicts and squatters have been abusing the space and making it a nightmare for members of the public.

The car park has been sold by Brighton and Hove City Council and is waiting to be knocked down and replaced with commercial and retail developments.

Until then, the addicts continue to make life a misery.

Gloria Atkins, a sales assistant at Brighton Foam Shop, on the corner of North Road and Vine Street, said: "It used to be called Savoy Car Park and Car Wash. But they were told to get out by the council, so that it could demolish the car park.

"That was two months ago. Savoy always had problems with squatters in the flat above the car park but nothing like it is now. It is overrun with addicts.

"It is a huge health risk and potentially lethal."

The site has to be seen to be believed.

Litter covers most of the concrete surface, needles are strewn everywhere. Squatters have created cornered-off areas made out of old garage doors, fire-damaged chairs and rubbish.

More worryingly, needles are on full view and some of the rubbish is stained with blood.

Nearby workers say the police call round on a daily basis but it does not seem to deter the drug addicts, who come and go as they please.

Mrs Atkins added: "Even though the council has evicted the squatters and locked up two entrances to the car park, there is still one side totally open.

"The drug addicts walk around the streets out of their mind. They try to come into the shop to steal mattresses. Some just come in and lie down.

"There has been a big rise in car and shop thefts. One person fell from the roof and smashed into the windscreen of a car. He just got up and walked off.

"The squatters have also started two fires. This used to be a lovely street and it has been turned rotten.

"I fear for the day they actually come and destroy this shop. I'm sure it's not far away.

"I feel vulnerable as I'm on my own most of the day and on Saturdays I'm the only place open. All the other businesses are closed."

Other business owners on Vine Street agree with Mrs Atkins.

While drug dealers come and go every day, customers have nowhere to park and there are double-yellow lines along Vine Street.

Roy Moffat, owner of the garage Motorpair, said: "This also means local businesses have nowhere to park. We used to get lots of customers because of the car park but now they've gone.

"We have lost a considerable amount of business. Fortunately, my customers don't see the druggies otherwise my business would really suffer.

"The place smells of urine because of all the squatters.

"There is always someone in the place, especially early in the evening. They wander up and down the street out of their heads.

"The place also attracts young children, who think it's a cool place to hang out. It's very dangerous.

"The police come round every day but they seem to have given up on the area. They will make a few arrests or clear them out. Yet they are always back the next day.

"The longer this goes on, the worse it's going to get. I have been here 25 years and it has never been like this. It is making life very difficult."

Brighton and Hove police has cracked down hard on drugs but it has not deterred some dealers from plying their trade in the area.

Michael Watts, a worker at North Road Timber, said: "At the moment, it's a nightmare. There are at least 20 people around every day and the place absolutely stinks.

"We have to lock everything up all the time or they will steal something. We put boards up on the windows so they can't see into the workshop.

"There are drug deals taking place out on the street every day. The addicts even form a queue outside the car park.

"There is a block of flats nearby that is full of families. It's so dangerous as kids are always around.

"I can't see why the council doesn't just block off the whole car park, instead of leaving one entrance totally open."

His colleague, who did not want to be named, added: "It's terrible. They stand on the streets screaming and fighting with each other. They are allowed to run riot."

A salesman at Guitar, Amp and Keyboard, said: "They come round and steal stuff and make a general nuisance of themselves.

"Thankfully, we're on a second level so we're not affect by it all. But, you don't want that in any retail area."

Kevin Edwards, of Edwards Antiques, said: "It won't be long before they put a brick through my window. The dealer parks his car right next to my garage and they all come crowding round him.

"I have had the place alarmed as there are thousands of pounds worth of goods in here. We know too many people who have been stung by the addicts.

"You can't tell them to go away as you don't know what they're going to do next. I don't think they know."

The city council said it recently sold the car park.

A spokesman said: "Half of the area is going to be developed for housing and the other half is intended to be commercial development, most likely retail."

There is good news for suffering locals, as the council has promised the new development will brighten up the area.

In a Policy and Resources Committee report on the issue, it states the "proposed redevelopment seeks to enhance the area. The physical environment will be improved and there are no adverse implications for crime and disorder."

Peter Stocker, secretary of the North Laine Traders Association, said: "We hope the area will be a major part of the regeneration of Brighton.

"There are plans to develop housing, hotels, and retail shops on Jubilee Street, as well as penthouses and restaurants in the old Argus building.

"This will change the face of the area. There is no doubt there are problems with the car park and we would like to see something happen with it as soon as possible.

"But we do need to address, as a city, ways to help people who are addicted to drugs."

Councillor Don Turner, deputy chair of culture and regeneration, said: "The 100 North Road development will complement other regeneration projects in the city centre.

"The Dome complex has been completely refurbished, as has Brighton Museum and there are attractive live/work units in Gloucester Road.

"Furthermore plans to redevelop the Jubilee Street site include provision for a new central library.

"Taken together, these developments are transforming the area, adding to the colourful North Laine and providing essential housing."

Chief Inspector Stuart Harrison, who is in charge of the city centre districts, said: "I take any crime in my area very seriously. But I have not had my attention drawn to that specific location.

"A couple of policemen regularly check the area but I have not had that many complaints from members of the public.

"I need to speak to North Laine traders and, if there is an issue, I will personally look at it myself."