Residents fear they could find it harder to attract buyers for their homes because of the state of a neighbour's driveway.

Rubbish, tyres, a run-down caravan and a rusty tow truck fill the driveway of the Hove property.

The build up of clutter has infuriated neighbours - some of whom have been told their houses will not sell unless the driveway is cleared.

Keith and Debbie Newton have had ten people looking around their house during the past six weeks but none has put in an offer.

Mr Newton, 49, said: "The estate agent has told us there is nothing wrong with our house, it's just what is outside that is the problem.

"Now we are having to drop the price from £162,000 to £159,950 and I don't see why we should have to do that."

Neighbour and mother-of-four Frances Noye, 32, said: "How he lives inside the house is his own business but everyone else has to look at the outside as well.

"We want to sell our house but my husband was told by various estate agents that we could expect a lot less than the house is worth because it is so close to that driveway."

Brighton and Hove city councillor Brian Fitch has been called in to put pressure on the council to do something about the mess.

He has written to the council calling for action.

He said: "This is an outrageous situation. It would appear that failure to act over many years has allowed this former council tenant and now owner occupier to reduce this property to an absolute tip, which is an eyesore and danger to the area.

"Residents are totally fed up with being faced with this mess every day without any successful action being taken.

"Enough is enough. Action has to be taken to remedy this shocking situation."

An environmental health officer has already visited the property and is due to report back to the council.

A council spokeswoman said: "We will take action if we feel it will help the situation.

"We have ordered the owner of the property to remove items from the front of his house in the past, so that may be necessary again."

Andrew Wren, owner of the property, said: "I have told my neighbours that I will clear the driveway as soon as I can and hope to do so this weekend."