Two planned major bypasses will wreck a specially protected beauty spot, destroy wildlife and lead to more traffic congestion, Friends of the Earth said today.

The warning comes ahead of the South East England Regional Assembly meeting tomorrow in Aylesbury, at which it will be decided whether to give the go-ahead to the controversial roads around Hastings.

If the developments go ahead, FoE says they will destroy an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, damage one of the UK's top wildlife sites and create more traffic in neighbouring towns and villages.

The final decision rests with Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and FoE believes his announcement could be made before the General Election.

Much of the route of the eastern bypass lies in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the western bypass through the Combe Haven Site of Special Scientific Interest.

FoE says the roads will generate more commuter journeys, lead to an increase in traffic in some residential areas and take travellers away from the railways.

Regional campaigns co-ordinator Brenda Pollack said: "These bypasses aren't the solution to Hastings' transport problems.

"Jobs will be lost in Hastings and it's far from certain that they will regenerate the rest of the area. The economic case for the bypasses is highly questionable."

Tony Bosworth, FoE's transport campaigner, said: "The final decision will lie with John Prescott.

"It's then that we'll find out whether Government pledges not to build roads through our most beautiful landscape and best wildlife sites are worth the paper they are written on.

"This is the first big test of the policy, and if Mr Prescott caves in here, landscape and wildlife sites all over the country will probably be at risk."