Campaigners staged a protest against controversial proposals to introduce parking charges in a seaside town.

East Sussex County Council and Eastbourne Borough Council propose expanding controlled parking zones in Eastbourne town centre.

They are planning three new sectors - outer, intermediate and inner - covering Upperton, Seaside, Devonshire Park, Meads East and Meads West.

Business leaders fear the plans could create labour shortages and increase wage demands. More than 50 campaigners, holding placards packed Eastbourne Town Hall in an effort to persuade the borough council to reject the plan.

But the motion to withdraw support was defeated. The council decided instead to wait for the publication of a report on a public consultation.

Under the plans, residents owning one car would pay £25 a year and and those owning a second car £95 a year.

Firms wanting to use one zone for parking would face a £500 annual charge or £900 a year to park in all zones.

A book of ten parking permits would cost £5 and a tradesperson's permit would be £2 a day.

For shoppers and commuters, charges being proposed range from 20p for 15 minutes in the inner sector to up to £6 for eight hours or more in the intermediate sector.

Motorists also face being charged to park along the seafront.

As in Hastings, Brighton, Lewes and Tunbridge Wells, the aim is to free parking spaces for visitors, ease congestion and counter illegal parking.

A spokeswoman for East Sussex County Council said: "The initial scheme was put out to consultation and we received 4,000 responses over all.

"We are reviewing those responses and should have some idea of what people want by mid-May.

"The only part of the scheme which will go through regardless is the civil parking enforcement, handing enforcement to the borough council, as it is a low priority for the police."