Two opera singers who entertain diners in a piazza where eating outside has been banned are pleading for the reinstatement of the tables and chairs.

Brighton and Hove City Council stopped three restaurants from putting out tables and chairs in East Street, Brighton, just before Easter following an objection from a nearby shop owner.

The traders, Al Forno, The House and English's have held licences to have tables and chairs outside their premises for alfresco dining for the past 15 years.

When their licences expired this year, they reapplied for permission for tables and chairs outside.

However, an objection was lodged with the city council on behalf of the freeholder of a nearby vacant shop.

The city council said the objection was made because the owner of the shop, once women's clothing store Kookai, had been trying to let the property and believed the tables in front of the shop window were putting off potential leaseholders.

The city council advised the restaurateurs not to put the tables and chairs out during Easter and promised them they would deal with their licence applications and the objection as soon as possible, which is today.

The spot in East Street has become a popular dining destination with tourists who enjoy the entertainment by singers and musicians, artists, tarot readers and crafts people who set up stalls nearby.

Sylvia Rota, soprano and Michael Gennings, baritone, said: "We are two opera singers who regularly sing in the square.

"When we arrived there last week, we were horrified to see there were no tables and chairs set out for the restaurants.

"Consequently, the square was devoid of its usual bubbling atmosphere.

"We believe this whole area is unique to the south of England.

"After a long, hard winter we were looking forward with enthusiasm to singing again in the square.

"Local people and visitors have come to expect the continental atmosphere created there.

"Holiday brochures even state that alfresco dining is available in this area, with live musical entertainment to add to the enjoyment.

"Should the present intolerable situation continue, we fear the singers and musicians who perform now, will have no other choice but to look for other venues in other towns and cities."

The pair made a plea to the city council to resolve the situation before the peak summer season and before other entertainers start looking at working elsewhere.