A village watchdog group is facing a membership crisis.
Ferring Conservation Society reported at its annual meeting that the number of people subscribing had fallen from a high of 1,200 to 350.
The blame was attached to the breakdown of a door-to-door cash collection service, leaving the group to rely on people sending in money.
Gary Read has stepped down as chairman of the society and was replaced by Ed Miller, who said the organisation had huge potential.
He said protecting Ferring from over-development was a priority, with piecemeal in-filling with housing the main threat.
He wanted the group to take a more vigorous and high-profile stand on the matter and the society, which was founded in 1988, agreed that its object should be to preserve the beauty and present character of Ferring.
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