Controversial property tycoon Nicholas Hoogstraten has returned to Sussex and is calling in his debts.

Hoogstraten told The Argus yesterday that companies run by his family had been in contact with local businesses in the city to chase up any money owed.

They include the Eaton Centre GP practice in Hove, which Mr Hoogstraten, 64, says owes more than £30,000.

The centre in Eaton Gardens, is leased to the practice by MRH Trustees Ltd, a company run by Mr Hoogstraten's family.

The company has now forfeited the lease and the practice is closed until further notice.

The centre is a branch surgery of the nearby Goodwood Court Medical Practice run by Nigel Higson.

Dr Higson disputed the amount owed and said the matter was now in the hands of the solicitors.

Patients arrived at the centre yesterday morning to find it padlocked and are now being told to use the Goodwood Court centre instead.

A notice placed on the outside of the building by managing agents City Estates, says: “The landlord has forfeited the lease and re-entered these premises due to non-payment of rent, insurance and service charges.”

For full report see today's Argus.