Council bosses plan to install security cameras to stop illegal fly-tippers blighting a beauty spot near Lewes.

Southerham, on the edge of the South Downs, is being ruined by illegal fly-tippers who leave household waste, building rubbish, furniture and fridges along the road which runs through it.

The problem has grown so bad in the last three years the rubbish can sometimes make the road impassable.

Lewes District Council officers have been watching the area for fly-tippers, who face prosecution if they are caught.

However, every time the area is cleared, the fly-tippers return and dump more rubbish.

Yesterday, the council held a meeting with landowners, the Environment Agency, East Sussex County Council, MP Norman Baker and resident representatives to discuss how to keep the fly-tippers out.

Ben Hunter, environmental health manager for the district, said fencing might be put up to keep people off the land and surveillance cameras installed.

However, he said the council needed to contact the owner of every bit of land as there were about five landowners, including Network Rail.

There was also a cycle way running through the area, which needed to be kept open.

Mr Hunter said: "Everyone wants something done about it. The aim is to block off access to the site. We are also looking to improve our surveillance to find out who is tipping."

Resident Anthony Harper, 57, who represented his neighbours at the meeting, said they were concerned about the health risks, the effect it had on the environment and on the value of their homes.

He said: "We are hopeful we will move forward. I have been here three-and-a-half years and it has certainly escalated in that time."

Fellow resident Peter Burges, 76, said: "It is appalling. We have been on to the council since we came here three years ago.

"It was on a small scale at first but it has grown enormously.

"It is rotten for when our friends come and they have to pass through all the rubbish.

"It is a lovely place here and we have got this difficulty."