Angry householders say changes to their refuse collection service will leave rubbish bags at the mercy of seagulls and foxes.

People living in Edinburgh Court, in Edinburgh Road, Seaford, have had their rubbish removed from bins at the back of their properties for 39 years.

But the council has told them to start leaving bin bags on the street instead.

Lewes District Council sent a letter to residents informing them refuse must now be put out on the road by 6am.

Residents say this, in effect, means leaving rubbish out overnight in an area a quarter of a mile from the sea and teaming with seagulls.

Some householders say they cannot or will not comply with the rules.

Jonathan Vernon, 43, of Edinburgh Court, said: "We object vehemently to this decision.

"Gulls attack bags left out within 30 minutes. They roost on the housetops here and are known to wait for bags to go out on Thursday mornings.

"Who is going to clear up the mess left when the gulls go through the bags? The council? What a waste of time."

Mr Vernon said the council had told him the changes were being introduced to save money and time so more could be spent on street cleaning.

Mr Vernon said: "It is counter-productive.

"Residents of Edinburgh Court have had their rubbish collected from their bins for 39 years. Yes, a privilege compared to most residents, but common sense.

"This is a retrograde step. More rubbish should be collected from bins, rather than from bags, not less.

Neighbour Andy Tully, 32, an insurance cashier, wants the council to provide wheelie bins.

He said: "I am not going to put black sacks out. The only option I have got is to carry the dustbin round to the front. It is quite a long way.

"If you leave a black sack out for more than half an hour, it gets torn apart."

Fellow resident David Edy, 67, said he was not fit enough to be able to carry his bin out to the front.

He said: "I am a pensioner. I have got diabetes and I have had a heart attack. To be expected to hump the rubbish all the way to the front of the street is just not on."

A council spokeswoman said: "People who place their rubbish in black plastic bags and then inside a dustbin, to prevent the bags splitting, may continue to do this.

"We have consulted with residents through focus groups, our District Link publication and with representative groups to ensure we keep people informed about the changes.

"If there are people who have specific concerns then they should contact us direct."