Owners of small business across Sussex are calling on councils to make it easier to trade in town centres.

The Federation of Small Businesses South East Policy Unit said firms are fighting a losing battle to stay in business in the face of rising parking charges, loss of short-term parking places and over-zealous traffic wardens.

Doug Thorogood, the FSB's transport spokesman, said the organisation has carried out a survey of businesses in Hastings, Brighton & Hove and Bognor.

He said: "The clear message coming out of this survey is local authorities are not listening to the concerns of small businesses in their towns.

"It is quite clear from the results that many small businesses feel they are fighting a losing battle just to stay alive.

"The only way to resolve this crisis in our town centres is to return to free parking.

"Our members want a level playing field - they do not want the added burden of expensive on and off-street parking charges driving their customers to out-of-town shopping complexes."

Some business owners said takings had fallen by as much as 50 per cent because of parking restrictions.