Millions of people have enjoyed coming to Brighton beach during the summer heatwave, soaking up the sun with their families.

But the pleasant atmosphere can be startlingly different behind cover of darkness, when clubs and pubs open for business.

Brighton beach between the piers has become the main centre for late-night entertainment in the city because the noise does not disturb anyone living nearby.

Youngsters from all over Sussex and beyond congregate there to enjoy dancing and drinking well into the small hours.

But there has always been a problem with drug pushing and it is getting worse month by month.

Now some seafront traders say they cannot take it any longer and are closing early rather than face the dealers.

Steps have been taken to tackle the problem, including the appointment of trained door staff at all the nightspots.

But the beach is a big area and it is often possible for pushers to get rid of drugs in the dark before they are caught.

Police have been keeping an eye on this area but a greater and more visible presence on some nights would warn the pushers they cannot continue.

Radio links are better late than never and would also help catch offenders, as they do with shoplifters in the main shopping area.

This epidemic of seafront drug dealing cannot be allowed to continue. Brighton seafront is in danger of becoming a squalid and dangerous place rather than a lively venue for people to enjoy late-night fun.