Hundreds of people have joined a Facebook group dedicated to preserving Newhaven Fort.

The ancient monument is under threat as it has become too expensive to run.

Lewes District Council is deciding whether to sell the freehold of the fort which needs £6 million of development work.

But in a show of defiance, more than 350 people have joined a Facebook group extolling the wonders of the building.

Entitled Why We Love Newhaven Fort, the group was created by Ed Tyhurst who said he wanted to “say why Newhaven Fort’s one of the best, what it means to us and why it should stay”.

Scores have answered his call, recounting their trips to the fort and uploading photographs of the 140-year-old monument.

Steve Saunders posted: “The fort has always been a great place to hold our civic events, especially anything to do with our military commemorations like the Dieppe Raid anniversary.

“All the staff at the fort always work so hard and make everyone so welcome.

“Every time I go there I learn something new about Newhaven, the wars and the place itself. The views are second to none and it leaves you with a real sense of history and pride.”

Last year more than 32,000 people visited the fort, which has five full-time staff and four part-time in peak months.

Built in 1871 to defend the harbour and one of Newhaven’s main visitor attractions, it is the largest fortification in Sussex.