Villagers in Ditchling reacted with bitter disappointment after planners last night signed the death warrant for their local pub.

Despite a year-long campaign including a 700-signature petition, councillors voted to let the Sandrock Inn be turned into flats.

More than a dozen villagers watched Lewes district councillors reluctantly approve the plans, which will leave the village with just two pubs.

After the meeting, Nikki Chapman, representing the Ditchling Society, said it was wrong that the planners were duty-bound to approve the scheme even though they would have preferred not to.

She said: "It is a very disappointing result and it seems very sad."

Earlier she told councillors the Sandrock was an "important community amenity" and the only pub in the village with disabled access.

Miss Chapman said the pub was commercially viable if it was managed properly.

Sue Hunt, of the Sandrock Action Group, told the meeting: "The loss of further amenities will contribute to the destruction of the unique structure of the village".

A number of councillors voiced regret at the proposals, which will allow the inn to be turned into four flats, a barn to be converted into a house and two bungalows to be built on the site.

But they said all the planning requirements had been fulfilled.

Councillor Kim Clark said: "There seems to be nothing we can do about it and that seems to be a weakness in the planning system. With deep regret I have to vote in favour."

Councillors approved the amended plans by eight to one.