Plans to build a three-storey block of flats would spoil a seaside estate with its historic buildings, residents fear.

Almost 60 people have already written to Arun District Council in protest at an application for a luxury development on the Sea Estate in East Preston.

Wilf Sims of the Sea Estate Residents' Association believes dozens more are preparing to join the campaign.

The estate houses a detached Art Deco villa, which was built by concert pianist George Posford in the shape of a grand piano.

Mr Sims believes this and other historic buildings on the private site need protecting from development.

His own home, Sea Gate, was built in the Thirties modernist style and was used as headquarters for the home guard and a troop of Canadian soldiers in the Second World War.

None of the existing buildings on the estate are more than two storeys high and Mr Sims says the block of flats would ruin the character of the area.

He said: "The building will dominate the seafront and block sea views. It looks like a Victorian institution. It's a luxury block of flats for out-of-towners and is part of the despoiling of Sussex. It's the drip, drip effect where every bit of green space is taken up by development.

"Many of the people who live here are elderly and they have saved to spend their retirement in a dream home by the sea. This will spoil it for them."

Mr Sims said residents were also concerned about sewage capacity and drainage. But a spokeswoman for Langridge Developments Sussex said the four luxury flats would enhance the estate.

She said the Ford-based company's designs were "beautiful" and would do nothing to detract from the existing homes.

She said: "The size of the plot lends itself to a development of this sort. It is a beautiful building in a Victorian style with details like turrets and gabled dormer windows.

Mr Sims said the residents' association would continue to fight the development even if it was granted planning permission.

The planning application is expected to be decided at a meeting of Arun District Council's planning committee in March. The deadline for submissions about the application is today.