Urgent  investment must be made at Shoreham Airport or the historic art deco terminal building will crumble, campaigners have warned.
 

Protesters gathered outside the airport yesterday to renew calls for renovations.
 

They fear if the airport becomes unviable it could become a housing development.
 

Jemima Bland, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for East Worthing and Shoreham, who is leading the campaign, said: “The airport terminal is now in a severe state of decline.

“There is still no sign of money being committed to make even the basic repairs.”

Gerard Rosenberg, of the Shoreham Society, added: “This is one of the most fantastic art deco buildings in the county but it is being left to crumble.”

Campaigners are setting up a Friends of Shoreham Airport group to make it a community asset, which will give residents a say over its future.
 

In April 2008 Albemarle Shoreham Airport Limited bought the lease under an agreement to spend £4 million on renovations.

But despite having listed building consent to carry out maintenance and repairs, Albemarle has carried out no work.
 

The company is locked in negotiations with owners Brighton and Hove City Council and Adur District Council which are expected to conclude in May.
 

Airport director Jonathan Candelon said: “Regarding the terminal, all the parties involved are working very hard towards finalising the details before the restoration works can proceed.”