West Beach belongs to Newhaven Port and Properties (NPP). The French owners of the port closed the beach last year citing concerns over the concrete sea wall.

Furious residents, backed by Newhaven Town Council, mounted a campaign against the decision. The council has now taken legal advice and is about to apply to East Sussex County Council to have the beach granted village green status.

This would mean local people could use it without NPP's permission. For land to be legally defined as a green it must be an area where people in the community have enjoyed legitimate sports or pastimes for at least 20 years.

These include activities such as kite flying, playing with children, picnicking or playing beach games. The land must have been mainly used by local residents rather than day trippers.

To win its claim the council needs evidence forms or letters of support from residents saying when and how they used the land.

Cllr Peter Jones, the county's lead member for strategic management and economic regeneration, has special responsibility for such applications.

He will have the final say about whether village green status is granted. A planning inspector may look at the application before Cllr Jones makes his final decision.

Forms for residents are available from the town council offices in Fort Road and in local shops. A public meeting will also be held on Monday at 7.30pm at St Michael's Church where more information will be available.

Cllr Carla Butler, who is leading the campaign, said: 'It is really important the public actually get involved with this process and fill out the form.

'Without the public backing and their efforts it won't work. They should come along to the meeting and hear the plans the town council has.

'This is a really fantastic development and if we succeed it will secure the beach for ever.'

The mayor of Newhaven, Cllr Graham Amy, said: 'Newhaven's sandy beach is one of the best in Sussex and is well used by both residents and visitors alike.

'Newhaven is one of the poorest towns in the south and with the credit crunch, more and more local families will be forced to spend their holidays at home.

'The town does not have enough facilities for youngsters and not everyone can afford to swim in the town's pool, so the sooner we get the beach open the better.'

He said lawyers had told them the council had an excellent chance of winning. He hoped NPP would start talks with the council rather than waste money fighting a legal case.

A county council spokesman said if it succeeded, Newhaven would be the first beach in East Sussex to have the status although the cliff-top in Peacehaven was a registered green.