Traders have blamed high rents for slowly turning an Eastbourne shopping centre into a ghost town.

Residents say a string of shop closures have sent the neighbourhood into decline and fear it could worsen unless action is taken to encourage new businesses.

Three shops have closed in Freshwater Square, Willingdon Trees, in the last year, including a bakery and bookmakers.

Shop owners pay between £9,500 and £11,500 in rent, plus £700 a year insurance and a maintenance charge of between £300 and £400.

Resident David McGowan said the empty units ruined the square's appearance.

He said: "The square looks awful. The empty shops are the focal point and that's the first point you see. You just can't miss it."

Carol Denyer and husband Paul ran the Windmill Bakery in the square for 12 years and blamed high rents for forcing them out to concentrate on their two other shops in Framfield Way and Langney Shopping Centre.

She said: "I think the majority of traders would leave if they could because the rents are so high but at the end of the day they have all signed leases. I know there are three or four shop owners who would leave if they could."

The square is managed by Romford-based property firm Hilbery Chaplin, which maintains it for owner Ramos Estates.

Mark Burton, of the company's commercial property team, defended the rent charges.

He said: "We have put up the rents but everybody seems to be relatively happy and they are not massive increases.

"My clients have owned it for a considerable amount of years and the rents are reasonable."

He said potential shopkeepers had shown definite interest in the square.