Tooth decay among younger children has reached disturbing levels, according to health experts.

The rise in children suffering problems with their teeth has been blamed on a growth in sugary diets and drinks.

Some dentists also blamed a lack of NHS dental care.

The South East Health Observatory released a survey showing a third of five-year-olds in Sussex suffered tooth decay.

The report analysed data from health authorities across the county over seven years. In Bexhill, the position was much worse - tooth decay affected 37 per cent of five-year-olds.

The study published today found between 31 and 37 per cent of children across many areas of the county were affected.

The worst part of the county was the Bexhill and Rother Primary Care Trust (PCT) area but both the Western Sussex and the Adur, Arun and Worthing PCT areas were less than three per cent behind.

Brighton and Hove City PCT was also slightly above the 31 per cent average for the South-East.

All other PCTs in the county taking part in the study recorded figures of between 25 and 30 per cent.

A spokeswoman for Bexhill and Rother PCT said: "There has been a lack of NHS dentists in this area but by the autumn we will have five new dentists specifically to provide NHS treatment. This will ensure we will have dental treatments in place for those who need them most."

Arif Essaji, who works at the Hangleton Dental Practice in Hove, said: "My main concern has always been the dietary factors, especially with acidic drinks. Even drinks like blackcurrant and orange squash have an acidic content. There is a trend of carrying drinks around with you which means children are having these drinks regularly throughout the day. It is the constant bombardment of the acid on the teeth which causes the damage. It is better if a child has one long drink all at once instead of several during the day."

Littlehampton-based dentist Serena Patel said: "There does seem to be an increase in cases but it is something parents take seriously. When they visit they always ask about the right sort of drinks and food and the best way to get children to brush their teeth. Part of the problem is sometimes it is difficult to actually register with an NHS dentist but there are normally enough around to take on children as patients."

Dentists in the county said there were a number of factors causing the high number of cases with the need for a better diet at the core of the problem.

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City PCT said: "According to this survey two-thirds of children aged five in the city have no experience of tooth decay or gum disease.

"Seventy-three per cent of children are seen by an NHS dentist and anyone who has children not registered with a dentist is urged to do so.

"We have 30 practices around Birhtong and Hove accepting NHS patients."