A sinkhole has opened up in the middle of a city centre road - with motorists being told they must not drive down the street.

Barriers fence off either side of Robert Street, in Brighton's North Laine, to stop vehicles driving down and risking the area collapsing after the hole was first spotted earlier this week.

The undulating road surface can be seen caving in with deep mounds and lumps forming. Beneath the surface, the hole opens up into a much bigger cavern with white rocks visible.

The Argus: Robert Street is closed due to the sinkholeRobert Street is closed due to the sinkhole (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

Last year, a huge sinkhole opened up under the paving slaps outside Pret a Manger in East Street.

The road was cordoned off for several days while repairs were taking place. Yellow gas pipes and other utilities could be seen several metres below ground inside the hole.

The Argus: The East Street sinkholeThe East Street sinkhole (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

Pedestrians walking down Robert Street were carefully tiptoeing nearer to the centre of the hole to take a look at what was inside. 

One person out for an afternoon walk said: "It makes you feel quite uneasy, not knowing if the rest of the road could give way at any moment."

The Argus: A pedestrian looks inside the sinkholeA pedestrian looks inside the sinkhole (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

A bigger circle, recently filled in with tarmac, is also caving in towards the ground despite the works.

Crude graffiti has already been daubed around the hole. Red paint has been sprayed encircling the entrance reading "a*se".

The Argus has approached Brighton and Hove City Council for comment.