'Your beach is far too dirty'

Guy Wepener, who runs the Beach Haven Hotel, says he always used to direct overseas visitors to Bexhill when they asked for the nearest clean and quiet beach.

But he said: "I come to Bexhill every week and the beach has become a disgrace. Parts of it have become a dumping ground for fly-tippers and the rest of it is covered in litter, dog dirt, cans, bottles and oil drums."

But Rother District Council says its beach cleaning practices at Bexhill are in line with the best anywhere in the country and has Tidy Britain Awards dating back every year to 1987 to prove it.

Mr Wepener added: "I used to love visiting Bexhill. I had a house here because it was always quiet and clean but this year it seems to have all changed.

"I was there with one of my grandchildren over the weekend and It's in a horrendous state. Even Eastbourne and Hastings are much cleaner now.

"Last week I saw a digger on the beach just burying the rubbish. That seems dangerous to me.

"When we have visitors who like birdwatching or quiet beaches I normally send them to Bexhill and Cooden.

"I won't be doing that for the foreseeable future unless something is done about it. It would be embarrassing."