Angry jet skiers have launched a campaign after they discovered the slipway they have used for five years chained and padlocked.

The group of about 30 enthusiasts have regularly used the launch site on Denton Island, Newhaven, with no problems.

But when they tried to launch their machines last week, they found their way was barred.

The land has been taken over by the company Peter Leonard Marine, whose staff have locked the site up until it can be resurfaced. The firm has also decided to introduce a charge for using the slipway.

Grant Fox, from Peacehaven, works in Newhaven and has been a jet skier for the past five years.

He said: "A group of us have been using the slipway free for many years and it has never been a problem up till now. People have £9,000 worth of jet skis sitting in their garages now and they can't use them."

Mr Fox intends to ask the Newhaven harbour authority to allow the group to use a nearby site and others have raised a petition to allow them to use yet another slipway but have so far been unsuccessful.

Mark Beaumont has been a jet skier for many years and cannot understand why the town does not have a free, public slipway.

He said: "There are other places you can launch but there are restrictions and most of them are open from 10am to 5pm. Most jet skiers need to use them after 5pm because they work.

"It's not a problem if you live in Shoreham but there are no free slipways here."

He said most jet skiers would not mind paying a charge but would be disappointed if time restrictions were introduced.

A member of staff at Peter Leonard Marine confirmed the slipway would eventually be re-opened and available for jet skiers for a charge.

She said police had been called in after gates preventing access to the site were stolen and a sign explaining the work was torn down.

Mr Leonard was unavailable for comment. The company leases the slipway from Newhaven Ports and Properties, which owns several launching sites on Denton Island.