Restaurant owner Stavros Hadjiioannou believes struggling Newhaven town centre has become an "embarrassment".

Mr Hadjiioannou, who runs Aphrodite restaurant in the High Street, says the precinct is left strewn with litter which he is forced to sweep up himself.

He has spent several years lobbying Lewes District Council's contract works group to improve the service.

Other traders said the High Street had been left looking a "disgrace" following road works which replaced paving stones with ugly lumps of tarmac.

Mr Hadjiioannou said: "There are bottles, beer cans, cigarettes and everything you can imagine over the road, it is absolutely disgusting. We try to make an effort by having flowers, but the streets are filthy.

"We have got tables outside where tourists from the ferry can have breakfast or cups of coffee and we are losing business because it is so disgusting for them."

A clean-up day was organised by traders' groups and councillors last year in a bid to spruce up the town centre, where several large stores have shut in the last year.

Owen Clifford, the district council community services manager, said: "A mechanical hand-driven sweeper, like a large Hoover on wheels, is used through the precinct on a regular basis.

"The problem is certain outlets, particularly catering outlets, have outdoor tables and chairs which they set out each morning.

"On occasions, it is impossible for the guys to use the equipment and, in these circumstances, they have to rely on brooms to clean up as best they can."