One of Britain's best-known TV detectives has joined forces with his neighbours to stop a family home being turned into flats.

The period property in Wilbury Avenue, Hove, is the latest in a string of similar houses in the area earmarked to be bulldozed.

Actor Chris Ellison, who played Detective Chief Inspector Burnside in The Bill, fears Hove could become "a wasteland of flats".

He is backing a campaign launched by software company director Mark Brown against the proposals.

Mr Brown, 40, a naturist, fears he and his wife Janice will be stripped of their privacy in their back garden if the flats are built.

He said: "We moved from London eight years ago and one of the reasons we chose the house was because of the privacy it offers.

"I do sunbathe without clothes in the back garden, which I am legally entitled to do because we are not overlooked.

"I am not sure if that will still be the position if people who move into the flats can see into our garden, or how it will affect my position as far as human rights issues are concerned."

However, Mr Brown said his campaign against the flats was not based on such personal considerations.

Instead he emphasised the need to preserve the character of Hove and the lack of nearby services to support the scheme.

Mr Ellison, who has lived at his detached house for 18 years, said: "I am angry we could lose yet another of the area's large family homes.

"Building on that site will ruin the family character of the area and will continue Hove's decline into a wasteland of flats."

Only a street away in The Upper Drive, ex-boxer Chris Eubank wants to knock down one of his houses, also to make way for flats.

People in nearby Somerhill Avenue are waging a similar battle to Mr Brown's.

They have launched a campaign against a scheme for 108 flats on the site of writer Julie Burchill's detached Thirties home, which she has agreed to sell to developers for £1 million.

Three other properties could also be demolished in that project, proposed by Brighton-based Totem Architecture.

All the protesters are concerned about the effect such developments could have on the character of Hove, as well as the extra strain on facilities and services.

Mr Ellison said: "The council has told us it is now ahead of its targets for building new homes in Brighton and Hove.

"All we can do is object. The council should not be prepared to allow these fine old houses to be lost like this."

Homeowner Tina Talbot declined to comment.

The family is selling the home through Mishon Mackay Estate Agents in Hove.

Partner Glenn Mishon said: "This is what a lot of people are doing around the city.

"Of course they are looking for profit but so would anybody, and that's the bottom line."