Seafront homes are being put at risk of flooding because people are removing defence boards to create a short cut to the beach.

Twelve boards are in place along the seafront at Seaford from the Martello Tower to the bottom of Dane Road to shield homes from flooding.

But council bosses say people are removing the 6ft boards to gain access to the beach rather than walking round to proper access points.

Seaford town clerk Len Fisher said: "We don't believe this is deliberate vandalism but merely people who are ignoring our calls to have the boards replaced.

"They are there for a reason - to protect homes from flooding - and if people continue to remove them then they are putting those homes at risk."

The boards are removed from the wall, which stretches along the seafront during the summer months, so people can stroll on to the beach.

But they are put back by East Sussex County Council workers from October to prevent shingle and other materials being washed up by high tides and strong winds and blocking drains.

Mr Fisher said: "We would ask people who remove the boards to gain access to the beach to have the presence of mind to replace them.

"If they don't they could be responsible for flooding incidents, which is the last thing we want."

Michael Murphy, Tory county councillor for Seaford Sutton ward, said: "These people appear to be showing a rather cavalier attitude by not replacing the boards.

"They are very, very important, particularly now during the winter months, to protect homes from flooding and shingle being pushed over. I don't understand why they just don't put them back."