The Government could face legal action if a controversial two-bypass scheme goes ahead, environmentalists warned today.

Pressure group Friends of the Earth has told Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott it considers it would be illegal to give the green light to two new roads at Hastings.

The schemes were not included in a recent list of approved projects but could still feature in future road programmes.

Solicitors for FoE have informed Mr Prescott the bypasses seriously conflict with Government policy, which generally rules out schemes in environmentally sensitive areas.

They also claim the Government has not shown the new roads would boost the Hastings economy or that there is no valid alternative.

And the lawyers say Mr Prescott should not be both promoting the roads and deciding if they should be built under a section of the Human Rights Act.

Tony Bosworth, FoE's transport campaigner, said: "The Hastings bypasses will cause enormous damage to the environment and may not solve the town's economic problems.

"We believe that giving the go-ahead would also be unlawful. If Mr Prescott doesn't turn down the bypasses, or at least call another public inquiry, he may have to justify his actions in court."