Shops and businesses which have seen a drop in takings while a high street is dug up for gas main repairs are demanding compensation.

Fifty people attended an emergency meeting of the Rottingdean Traders Association at The Rottingdean Club when an action committee to fight for compensation was formed.

Traders want a reduction in business rates from Brighton and Hove Council and financial help from Transco, whose contractors are digging up the main road through the village to re-lay the gas main.

They also want the work, which is scheduled to last for another six weeks, speeded up.

Despite signs saying all the shops and businesses are open for business, traders say shoppers are going elsewhere because they see the High Street is being developed and believe the shops are closed.

Some shops and pubs have seen takings drop by £700 a week since the work started on January 8 and traders fear it will take months to get it back. The village video shop has ceased trading since the work started.

There are fears others will follow if word does not get around that all shops are open.

On Saturday contractors cut through an electricity cable, cutting off supplies for several hours and forcing shops to close and send staff home.

Chairman of the association Ken Humphreys said: "We need to send out the message that all shops are open and shoppers can get into the High Street."

Marion Briggs, of the Tallboys gift shop, said: "Our livelihood is at stake. We need to publicise the fact the village is open, otherwise it will be months to get our business back again."

Geoffrey Theobald, opposition leader on Brighton and Hove Council, called for a speeding up of the work and for more men to be put on the job.