Voters who are to be forced to go to the polls twice in one month have complained that the by-elections are a waste of money.

The votes, to take place following two resignations in Peacehaven, are expected to cost £6,000 to organise.

Former district councillor John Hodgson said the money would be better spent on community facilities and called for new members of the town council to be nominated rather than voted in.

Mr Hodgson, of Capel Avenue, Peacehaven, said: "Instead of allowing co-option to the council, the Liberal Democrats have coldly said if their candidate is not elected on November 11, they will put this candidate up again in a few weeks' time.

"This is nothing less than political blackmail and an abuse of the voting system. In addition, it will cost the hard-pressed council taxpayer £6,000.

"This money would be much better spent on repairing the roads in Peacehaven. Some of the potholes are so deep and full of water that if you fell in them, you'd drown."

A three-tier local government system operates in Peacehaven, meaning voters select town, district and county councillors.

Tomorrow voters in the Peacehaven East Ward will be going to the polls to vote in a successor to Conservative Bernard Rugg, who is stepping down following the death of his 75-year-old wife, Edith, in August.

Her replacement Geoff White, was co-opted on to the council but has since resigned - forcing another by-election.

All three main parties are fighting the by-election on Thursday and the Liberal Democrats have already indicated that if they don't win on Thursday, they will enter their candidate for the next by-election.

Liberal Democrat Marina Pepper, a Lewes district councillor and the mayor of neighbouring Telscombe, said: "We are not the people calling the by-elections.

"We are an active political party in this area and we want to ensure electors have the Liberal Democrat choice.

"We are putting up an excellent candidate who will be committed to the job of a councillor and see out her term.

Steve Keogh, leisure and amenities manager of Peacehaven Town Council, said: "Nobody called a by-election when Edith Rugg died so Mr White was co-opted onto the council.

"It is the democratic right for anyone to call a by-election and is part of the democratic process and that is what has happened this time"

Polls are open from 8am on Thursday and there are three candidates: Janice Butler (Liberal Democrat), John Carden (Labour) Phil Howson (Conservative).

The date for the second by-election in the town has not yet been called.