The closure of a car park in Hove threatens to turn a busy shopping area into a customer-free zone, claim traders.

Shopkeepers in the George Street and Blatchington Road area say they face a disastrous time now the car park behind the Co-Op has shut.

The car park, with more than 100 spaces, closed as part of the ongoing project to build a Tesco store and school on the old gasworks site in Church Road.

Tesco has indicated it will be able to provide a temporary car park by November but traders say that will be too late.

Meanwhile motorists are leaving their cars in pedestrianised George Street, blocking delivery lorries and causing chaos.

The council has not yet issued a bylaw prohibiting parking, so traffic wardens cannot issue tickets.

Resident Sue Jones said: "People have taken to parking in George Street because they have cottoned on that they can leave their cars there all day.

"It is causing chaos but to be honest I don't blame them. It is very difficult to find somewhere to park now and that will hit a lot of shops.

"The Co-Op has even had to put up a sign telling people it is not closing."

Keith Bryden, chairman of Hove Business Association, said trade had dropped significantly in the last few days and small businesses were facing a nightmare until the temporary car park opened.

He appealed to customers to continue supporting them through the next few weeks.

He said: "On Monday trade was fine, on Tuesday it slowed down and by Wednesday it was absolutely dead. The council should have put something in the planning regulations that the car park could not be closed until a temporary replacement was available.

"But Tesco is not even obliged to provide a temporary car park because the council did not get anything in writing - just a verbal promise.

"We are relying on Tesco's good will. We need something in the next week or two."

A spokeswoman for Tesco said: "We have told traders that in order to get the new car park we need to close the old one and start work on the school.

"This is a complex job because of the school and it is crucial to get the timing right to fit in with the school year.

"We understand traders get really busy for Christmas in November. We have undertaken to get an 80-space car park ready by then. We're doing it as quickly as we can."

A spokesperson for Brighton and Hove City Council said: "We recognise the current difficulties but we must ensure that any arrangements are done properly, legally and safely.

"We must not lose sight either of the benefits this development will bring - a new, bigger primary school for central Hove, and a supermarket which will secure the vibrancy of George Street shopping area."

The temporary car park will be behind the existing 28-space Stirling Place car park.