Work on the palace of property tycoon Nicholas Hoogstraten has ground to a halt.

A dispute about money between the landlord and the building firm means work has stopped and the roofless building is open to the elements.

Mr Hoogstraten has invested £24 million of his fortune on Hamilton Palace.

Employees of Uckfield-based Penrose Construction first worked on the site at Palehouse Common, near Uckfield, in 1996. However, no work has been done since September.

Now both parties say they are taking legal advice in connection with the dispute.

Mr Hoogstraten, 56, has included his own mausoleum in the plans where he expects to be buried surrounded by some of his favourite pieces art.