People hoping to stop the proposed Hastings bypass presented turf from the High Weald to the town's museum to highlight what could be lost if the roads is built.

Campaigners took turf from the area of outstanding natural beauty, on the route of the proposed road, and paraded it through Hastings before handing it to the museum.

Regional planners recently backed plans for a linked east and west bypass for Hastings and regional economic development chiefs meet next month to decide whether to recommend to ministers the road goes ahead.

Protesters say the road is unnecessary and will destroy parts of the protected High Weald and three important wildlife sites.

Mike Turner, of Hastings Friends of the Earth, said: "It's shocking our beautiful countryside can be ripped up forever by people making decisions who have never been to the area. If we lose this local heritage it can't be brought back."

Gillian Bargery, who lives in the Wishing Tree area, said: "The traffic problems in Hastings result from local journeys yet the bypasses are designed for through traffic and will cause more problems for local people."