Two leading members have quit a pressure group fighting plans to build high-rise flats at Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne.

There was bickering about how the group was being run and Benita Poole and Mark Ager said today the campaign against further development had been "a shambles."

They were among the leading lights behind Sovereign Harbour Against Rogue Planning (Sharp), set up after Redrow Homes was given permission in August to build up to 260 flats on the site.

The group has raised more than £2,300 to pay for the legal costs of a judicial review which Sharp had hoped would get the plans overturned.

But Mrs Poole and Mr Ager said "incompetence" and an unwillingness to share information among members meant they failed to meet the October 30 deadline to file for a judicial review.

Mrs Poole said vital meetings with Redrow bosses were squandered because of the failure to let Sharp supporter and chartered planner Chris Berry in on the meetings, meaning complex planning issues were not properly explored.

They said this had effectively rendered the campaign a failure despite widespread support from people across Eastbourne.

Mrs Poole said: "I think the campaign has been a farce. Now, as far as I'm concerned, it's too late and the battle has been lost."

Remaining committee members met last night at La Surfera bar in Sovereign Harbour.

Secretary Brenda Hilliam said: "I feel very sad about the loss of Brenda and Mark because we all started out with such great enthusiasm.

"We are only amateurs but we are still carrying on to see whether we can still push for a judicial review."