A volunteer litter picker has demanded action to clear up “eyesore” ditches that have been left to collect rubbish for years.

Karen Mayo, from Denton near Newhaven, said she was picking up litter in the area near Sainsbury’s, next to the A259 which leads to Newhaven swing bridge.

The 66-year-old noticed a ditch which was “full of rubbish” which she said has got worse recently.

Karen tried to report the heaps of plastic so it could be cleaned up but found the process was a “minefield” and she could not work out how to report it.

Karen even wants to offer her time to clear up the ditch.

She said: “It is just full of rubbish and cans. My husband says they’re all connected, it’s terrible. You look at it and it encourages people to throw rubbish over the fence.

“It’s been like it for years, but it just seems to be getting worse to be honest. I thought with all that flooding, I’m sure the rubbish doesn’t help.

“The drainage system around here is ridiculous. Most of it is due to blocked drains.

The Argus: Karen wants to see the waterway cleared and thinks the drainage will improveKaren wants to see the waterway cleared and thinks the drainage will improve (Image: Karen Mayo)

“I go on online to try and report but it’s a minefield. I told someone I get bags for litter picking that I would be willing to help clean the drains.

"A council worker sent me to a website, but I could not work out who I had to contact to report the litter.

“I would be surprised if it’s cleaned up. I would like them to get rid of the rubbish in the ditch. The water may well start flowing through.

“Nothing can live in it, it is completely dead with all that in it. It’s been like it for five or six years.

“It’s such an eyesore. Lots of people walk alongside the ditch. It runs alongside the A259, everyone sees it."

It comes as the area has seen flooding which has led to road closures in Denton Road and four days of closures on the A26, which leads out of Denton to Lewes.

East Sussex Highways was approached for comment but said it would be the responsibility of the Environment Agency.

The Environment Agency said it would be the responsibility of the local authority.

Lewes District Council is still establishing whose responsibility it is.