A popular undercliff path near Brighton which was closed after a rock fall may soon reopen to the public.

Vital safety work is being carried out to enable the path at the base of the cliffs at Peacehaven to be opened in time for the summer.

Contractors are to begin work to clear fallen chalk and carry out remedial work to the cliff face below Southdown Avenue and Vernon Avenue.

The undercliff path has been closed to the public since a major cliff fall in January. Lewes District Council blamed autumn's extreme weather for the fall.

It is thought rainwater seeped into cracks in the cliffs and then froze, forcing sections of the chalk cliff to break away.

Similar falls affected cliffs at Newhaven, Telscombe Cliffs and Brighton.

In the latest fall the Asda supermarket at Brighton Marina had to be closed after tonnes of chalk fell from the cliff face.

To make the cliffs at Peacehaven safe for walkers, Lewes District Council has hired CAN Geotechnologies to clear tonnes of fallen chalk and debris.

They will also remove potentially dangerous overhangs and unstable parts of the cliff between Peacehaven Steps and Telscombe Cliffs at East Saltdean.

Mouchel Consulting, which has carried out a study of the cliff face, will supervise the safety works.

The council has promised to finish the work in time for the summer when the undercliff becomes popular with walkers.

Councillor Andrew Small, lead councillor for planning, said: "We hope to begin these works as soon as possible to ensure that people can safely enjoy walks along our beautiful coastline."

Work to stabilise cliffs further along the coast at Black Rock is likely to be delayed after objections from English Nature.

The conservation body is objecting to a £700,000 programme by Brighton and Hove City Council to stop further falls because of possible damage to the cliff and rare flowers.

The council does not expect the Undercliff Walk in Brighton to reopen until at least September.

Councillor Alan Byng, who represents Peacehaven East on the district council, said: "The people of Peacehaven welcome any coastal defence work for this area.

"We are happy the work is beginning soon so the path can be reopened."

The cliffs are protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and the work has been approved by English Nature.