Fishermen are campaigning to get a breakwater reopened after it was closed for safety.

Newhaven Ports and Properties (NPP) shut the harbour arm and West Beach last year, claiming they were a danger to the public.

The beach was re-opened at Easter following repairs and people are now asking to be allowed back on the breakwater.

Fisherman John Goldsmith, who runs a charter boat, said: "The breakwater has been a big part of fishing in Newhaven for years and its closure is affecting business and people who use it for leisure.

"People used to stroll along it on a nice sunny afternoon with their families. It was quite a popular thing to do and they would come to the town especially for that.

"I would get people wanting a trip on my boat after seeing it go out from the breakwater. I've potentially lost many customers by it being shut."

NPP said work needed on the harbour arm was expensive and it could not afford it at the moment.

Mike Smith, operations supervisor for NPP, said: "The beach and breakwater are two separate issues but are both concerned with health and safety.

"The breakwater can't be opened because it needs a fence along it which is about a third of a mile long.

"It is an open ledge and under health and safety law needs to be fenced off from one end to the other, which could cost hundreds of thousands of pounds.

"It's not nice that it has to be closed because it is a good walk out there and people have enjoyed it for many years. But we have to protect the public and make it safe.

"There have been a number of accidents there. Every year an ambulance has to be called out for something.

"Thankfully, I don't think there has ever been a fatality."

Jason Sugarman, Conservative parliamentary candidate for Lewes, wants to see it reopened. He said: "How can they come along and shut it down after so many years?

"It is an important facility. As far as local facilities go, it doesn't get much bigger than the breakwater in Newhaven.

"I've been speaking to fishermen and others, and a lot of people are very angry about this."

Newhaven mayor Rod Main added: "The public have had access virtually from the time it was built and they feel they have a right to fish or simply take a stroll along the arm.

"The town council has had enquiries from as far afield as Hertfordshire asking if it is open again.

"It cannot come too soon and we fully support the calls for its reopening as soon as possible."

The harbour arm is 117 years old and was built by people from the Channel Islands who migrated to Newhaven.

Do you think the breakwater should be reopened? Or do you agree with NPP? Leave your comments below.