A golf club has been accused of hiding a dump behind its neatly-manicured greens.

East Brighton Golf Club, an 18-hole course, is home to a tarpaulin-covered materials dump, tucked out of sight of the players.

Residents say the outdoor sand store, which is next to a popular footpath, is growing by the week.

They have called it an eyesore and say they are also worried it could be damaging the environment.

It first appeared about four years ago and is used by ground maintenance staff when they want to refill bunkers or lay new turf.

John Clarke, who lives in Ovingdean, said: "This materials dump is situated at a point of wonderful views tucked away between Woodingdean and Ovingdean.

"The elements drain away the materials when it is raining and the wind blows the loose sand and earth everywhere.

"Clearly the golf club committee has little idea of the visual damage the dump is causing as it is carefully hidden from view to those on the course.

"It has grown larger and larger during the past year and no care is given to its maintenance.

"The biggest problem, and there are many, is that it is completely open to the elements.

"It's now an absolute disgrace and something needs to be done about it because of the environmental aspect."

But managers at the club say they have no intention of removing the store.

A spokeswoman for the club said: "It's a store which they need here to keep the course in top-notch condition all the time.

"It's got to be stored somewhere and this store is hidden from view.

"It's usually kept tidy and we need it to replace earth on the course."

The club hit the headlines last year after a senior delegate attending the Labour Party's annual conference was banned from the course for wearing jeans.