The practice of lighting fires on the seafront must be stamped out if it means that local businesses suffer.

As soon as the warm weather arrives, Sussex beaches become a haven for people enjoying the summer evenings and some of them, unfortunately, have little regard for where they grab wood from for their fires on the pebbles.

The latest victim is the Seafront Image Shop in King's Road Arches, Brighton.

When owner Eamon Coyle arrived for work on Easter Monday he discovered wood from his window shutters had been used to create a bonfire nearby.

The traders say it happens year after year and not only do they lose money, it makes their businesses look tatty and unkempt.

The seafront needs 24-hour beat officers to nip this problem in the bud.