Drug addicts using Eastbourne telephone boxes to arrange their next fix have been warned Big Brother is watching them.

Police have identified eight town centre kiosks where deals in heroin and crack cocaine are regularly organised.

Addicts phone their dealer and arrange a location to meet and get their drugs, sometimes in the kiosk itself.

Sussex Police has now joined with British Telecom to remove all advertising from inside the kiosks, which are covered by CCTV nearby.

This has enabled police to fit a picture on the kiosks of a yellow, winking, smiley face with the slogan "Smile! You're on CCTV".

Senior police chiefs hope the message that dealers and users are being watched by the spy cameras will act as a deterrent.

Chief Inspector Peter Mills, the Eastbourne district commander, said: "Drug dealers risk being watched and caught on camera.

"Apart from being regularly checked in the town centre by my teams, this is an additional tactic.

"They are feeling the pressure and it won't go away."

One box fitted with the sign is in Cavendish Place in Meads, an area which has previously been targeted in drugs raids.

Residents in nearby Pevensey Road welcomed the action.

Maureen Duffy, 54, said: "Anything that helps to keep unsavoury people off the streets is to be welcomed.

"There is a drug issue round here and it is sad because the victims are all young. In fact, I never go out after dark round here if I can help it."

In September last year, The Argus revealed that a phone box in Richmond Parade, Brighton, was being used by dealers to peddle heroin.

Business owners said addicts would dial a number and a dealer would arrive within minutes, completing the sale in seconds.

In Eastbourne, other kiosks with the signs are located in Pevensey Road, Cavendish Place, Bourne Street, Langney Road, Seaside Road and two near the pier.