Villagers in Ashington say they are having a rough time because of a row over lamp posts.

New pavements in the village, near Storrington, are being left unsurfaced until Seeboard installs cables for the lights.

West Sussex County Council has criticised the power company for the hold-up.

Councillor Tex Pemberton said: "It's not good enough that the people of Ashington have to wait for these footways to be finished because Seeboard has been slow in acting."

But a Seeboard spokesman denied the company was at fault.

He said the order had been placed on January 24 and Seeboard's public lighting charter gave it 40 days to start the job.

The work was scheduled to begin during the week starting on February 25, which was within the charter timescale.

The paths affected are in Church Lane, Rectory Lane and The Sands.