Diners have demanded a council lift a "ridiculous" ban stopping people from eating outside in a busy shopping piazza.

Traders in East Street, Brighton, say they lost business over the Easter weekend because the chairs and tables outside their restaurants were banned.

They were forced to pack up the tables after the freeholder of a nearby vacant property lodged a complaint with Brighton and Hove City Council.

Letters have been flooding into The Argus from angry residents who think the ban is destroying the city's Continental atmosphere.

Mike Dalley, of St James' Street, Brighton, said: "The part of East Street that the tables occupy is one of the reasons why people come to Brighton.

"The atmosphere is great, it's sheltered and virtually traffic free and should be an ideal that the council pursue and encourage in other areas such as St James' Street."

Denise Woodham said: "This is the best part of Brighton in the summer months as it has a real Continental flair. This area is very much a congregational area for people to meet as it is so cosmopolitan and just has a great atmosphere. Why can't the council grant interim licences?"

Angela Chapman, of Withdean, said: "I think the tables bring a great atmosphere to the area and should certainly stay."

Les Campbell, from Hassocks, said: "The tables and chairs outside the restaurants in East Street, to the best of my knowledge, have caused no inconvenience to passers-by in the past. The council should quash this ridiculous objection without any further delay."

But Charles Foster, of Staplefield Drive, Brighton, said: "Of course Brighton should have tables outside restaurants like their Continental counterparts. But only if they bring down their prices in line with Continental restaurants. In England we are the most ripped-off diners in the whole of the EEC."

Councillor Ted Kemble, of Wish Ward, wrote to council leader Alan McCarthy asking that the issue be discussed at a meeting of the Licensing Committee on Thursday.

He wrote: "The impact on trade for the restaurateurs will be unimaginable, especially with the Brighton Festival due to commence."