Owners of a sandwich shop in one of Brighton's quirkiest streets have been told to tear down their log-cabin style shop front because it is not in keeping with the area.

Paul Begley built the unusual facade when he opened Crust in Trafalgar Street, North Laine, more than two years ago.

The little kiosk, which sells sandwiches, crepes and drinks, was in a bad state of repair and Mr Begley had to rebuild the shop floor and walls before installing the log-style front, at a total cost of more than £7,000. Now he to close for two weeks, despite hundreds of customers signing a petition, because planners have told him it must be pulled down.

Mr Begley said: "The money will have to come out of my own pocket.

"We will have to close for two weeks and spend at least £5,000 on material and labour.

"The business is not yet making a profit and simply doesn't have any money to carry out the work."

Mr Begley did not seek planning permission for the work when he first opened but heard nothing from the council until three months ago when he was told to apply for permission for the shop front.

He had plans drawn up showing the building before and after his refurbishment but has been told his application had been refused and the log-cabin fascia must be replaced.

Mr Begley said: "I am really angry. I have spent a lot of money improving the look of a building that was in a terrible state.

"There used to be a lot of graffiti on the walls here and since we put on the new front there hasn't been any. You just have to look around the North Laine to see there is no such thing as a singular style to "be in keeping with".

"The area is a complete hotchpotch of 101 different styles and that's the beauty of it."

The council has been cracking down on colourful and unusual signs throughout the North Laine shopping district.

Planning regulations have been left unenforced for years before objections from the North Laine Community Association.

But traders and shoppers argue that since the area has been allowed to evolve naturally, it is not fair for the council to order shops signs and fronts be taken down.

Shopper Wendy Minogue, 45, of Campbell Road, Brighton, said: "It is absolutely ridiculous.

"I think the shop front looks very nice. It adds a bit of colour."

Her daughter Robin, 24, said: "I think the council is being over-sensitive. The whole point of the North Laine is its eclectic style."

Simon Baxter, 21, a student at City College and a regular customer of Crust, said: "Me and all my course-mates have signed the petition.

"Everybody at the college loves this place and we are very worried about the consequences for Crust."

But Barry Leigh, community association member responsible for planning issues, said: "They put up that front without planning permission and the council is simply doing what it should have done a long time ago.

"It's not just a sign but an entire front which changes the nature of the building.

"It's quite different to anything around it and our members don't feel it fits in."

Mr Begley is planning to appeal against the decision.