A model turned TV presenter has been knocked back in her attempts to save the appearance of a 200-year-old house.

The owner of Wyndham House in Wyndham Street, Brighton, began replacing Victorian windows and doors with UPVC ones about two weeks ago.

Residents, including TV presenter Annabel Giles, are unhappy, claiming it brings down the look of the East Cliff conservation area.

Despite complaints, Brighton and Hove City Council said there was nothing it could do to protect the former home of actor Frank Finlay, which is not a listed building.

Ms Giles described it as a terrible shame, adding: "One of the best things about our wonderful city is its beautiful buildings, which we are slowly destroying."

A council spokesman said: "Local people have been advised that government guidance permits single dwellings in conservation areas to make such alterations unless there is deemed to be serious harm to the conservation area."