A treasured view of one of the finest landscapes in Britain has been saved following a campaign by conservationists and residents.

Campaigners claimed the much loved vista close to the Seven Sisters cliffs, featured in paintings, films and countless photographs, could have been permanently ruined by the building of a road.

Plans had been submitted to run the access track through fields in the heart of the South Downs National Park, in Sussex, to allow easier access to a private house.

Opponents said it would have despoiled a centuries old landscape and ruin its unique, untouched character.

But the owner of the house condemned them as hypocrites, saying that hers was the last house in the area not to have a proper and safe access road.