A subway which people claim is a haven for underage drinkers and drug dealing could be closed.

A housing group has received several complaints from worried residents about the subway and is carrying out a poll to see if it should be shut for good.

But some parents claim closure of the subway under Pelham Rise, Peacehaven, will put children's lives at risk as they will be forced to cross a busy road.

Others say something must be done to stop youths congregating in the underpass late at night to drink and indulge in rowdy behaviour.

The poll is being conducted by the Southern Housing Group, which runs the local housing stock, and Lewes District Council.

It gives residents four options on the subway:

Remain open.

Closed with a gate across the entrance.

Open from 7am with a gate that is closed at dusk.

Permanent closure with moves to get a zebra crossing on the site.

This is the second time in ten years the issue of whether or not to close the underpass has divided Peacehaven.

In 1995 councillors decided to keep it open, clean up the then graffiti-ridden subway and provide easier access to the roadway to make it easier for residents to avoid using the dark subway.

Lesley Anne-Brennan, 57, of Trafalgar Close, Peacehaven, said: "Closure is ridiculous. I have seen open drug dealing in the centre of Peacehaven but not in the subway. We all know youngsters congregate in groups in Peacehaven but closing the subway and putting children's lives at risk is not the option. "

Town councillor Sue Griffiths, who lives nearby in Collingwood Close, said: "I want this subway to remain open. It has been cleaned up and there is little graffiti here now."

"I know some residents are claiming it is used for drug dealing but I have never seen any dealing taking place there."

John Livings, leader of Peacehaven Town Council, said: "There are more than 200 children living close by and I do not want to take the responsibility of closing the subway then having a child injured or killed crossing the road."

A spokeswoman for Lewes District Council said: "We will assess responses from the survey before making a decision."