A lido will be preserved in its current form after it became the first in the country to be given grade II* listed status.

The Save Saltdean Lido Campaign's application to upgrade the Art Deco building fwas approved yesterday afternoon by English Heritage and Heritage and Tourism Minister John Penrose.

The decision to protect the landmark building comes almost exactly a year after the campaign was formed when Dennis Audley, the lido’s leaseholder, tabled controversial plans to build 102 flats on the site and fill in the pool.

Rebecca Crook, chairwoman of the Save Saltdean Lido Campaign, said: “It's a wonderful building that we feel represents an important part of our British seaside heritage and we hope that with the new listing in place it can be preserved and safeguarded for many more generations to enjoy.”

For full report, see today's Argus.