Shops and businesses who have seen takings plummet while Rottingdean High Street is dug up for gas main repairs are demanding compensation.

Fifty people attended an emergency meeting of Rottingdean Traders Association at The Rottingdean Club last night and 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.

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

Traders say their customers take one look at High Street and decide to go shopping elsewhere, despite signs saying all the businesses are open.

Some shops and pubs say their takings have fallen by £700 a week since the work started on January 8.

Association chairman 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."