People are demanding to know why building work has not yet begun on a new school scheduled to open in September.

The go-ahead has been given to build the Haven School in Atlantic Drive, Eastbourne, but so far not one brick has been laid.

When it is built, the school will be jointly run by the Church of England and the Methodist Church and will cater for 210 pupils.

The plans also include speech and language facilities for special needs pupils.

Fears have been raised over a shortage of school places in the area and the location of the school was chosen to cater for the children of families moving into the Sovereign Harbour development.

Councillor Bob Backhouse says he has tried desperately to find out why building has not yet begun, but has not been given any answers.

He said: "I was led to believe building would begin in August, but that hasn't happened. There was some kind of blessing ceremony but nothing since."

But Elizabeth Yates, school officer for the Church of England, promised work was due to begin soon and part of the school would be open for the September deadline.

She said: "We will be admitting pupils from September as planned but only part of the building will be open then. Hopefully we will take on 90 pupils at first.

"There has been a delay in getting full planning permission but we believe that's all in hand now and the contractor should begin work early next month."

An open meeting is due to be held at Bishop Bell School, Priory Road, Eastbourne, next Monday at 7pm, for people interested in a place at the school for their children.