Multiple sclerosis sufferer Joan Nash had to abandon her day at the seaside when she found there were no toilets close to the beach.

Mrs Nash, from Denton, was one of hundreds of visitors to Newhaven's sandy beach on Saturday who found they had to walk to a recreation ground to find a public toilet.

Mrs Nash, 46, said she could not believe the beach had an amusement arcade and hot-dog stand but no toilets to cater for the disabled and children who need facilities close at hand.

She said: "I've got MS and I never know if I'll be able to walk half a mile or four yards. Going up and down steps is difficult.

"I left the beach to walk to the old toilet block. I was really proud of myself for getting there but then I realised they were closed after being vandalised.

"We were told the nearest toilets were at least 400 yards away at the Ford Road recreation centre but that was too far for me to walk and we had to go home instead.

"When the tide is down everybody goes to Newhaven beach because it's the only sandy beach in the area and a brilliant place to be.

"There were hundreds of people there on Saturday and herds of children and they need toilets fairly close to them, as do the elderly and people like me."

The beach is on private land owned by Newhaven Port and Properties, which was recently bought by a French consortium.

Duty supervisor Mick Smith said: "It's early days and everything is still very sketchy but as I understand it, there are big plans for everything in that area.

"I know a French delegation has been down and inspected that area and have made reports about it. It's just a question of waiting and seeing."