Hundreds of pub regulars have signed a petition to save a historic drinking tavern from closure.

More than 400 people have called for the 142-year-old Sussex Pub in Sussex Road, Haywards Heath, to be saved from being turned into flats.

Enterprise Inns, the brewery that owns the building, hopes to sell it to developers Devine Homes to be turned into new flats and shops if planning permission is granted.

Campaigners say it must be saved as it is one of the few remaining original buildings in the town.

Regular Alan Gold, who is leading the campaign, said: "It's an extremely valuable amenity that gives much enjoyment to many people.

"Apart from Clair Hall it's the only other venue in the town where the public can listen to live music.

"The developers have paid no attention to the social loss their scheme would cause."

The threat of demolition has clouded the hopes of new managers Lynda and Michael Leedham of revitalising the pub, which opened in 1860.

Lynda's daughter, Tina Harris, 18, who works full-time behind the bar, said: "We've had a brilliant response. People stop all the time and come in just to sign the petition.

"We really don't want it to close. It's a fantastic pub."

Lynda said: "In case it's our last Christmas, I'm going to make the pub look really good. But we hope it won't be."

Devine Homes won approval for another pub site last year, the Royal George in Burgess Hill, which has since been demolished to make way for flats.

Mr Leedham said Mid Sussex District Council had pushed back the decision until January as it received so many letters of objection from residents.