A shopkeeper has become so frustrated with roadworks outside his store he has set up a webcam to watch workers' progress.

Electric retailer Marc Arnell set up the camera outside his store, 21st Century Services, in Burgh Heath, Surrey, and his website, aretheyworking.co.uk, has now had thousands of hits.

The work, to repair a hole in the road, has meant part of the A217 had to be closed for a couple of days. After the initial works the area was cordoned off meaning shoppers could not pull in.

Mr Arnell said sometimes days went by without people working on the site, although Surrey County Council has denied this.

He said: "I know they have to investigate but it would be nice if they could investigate a bit faster. This is a main road, people should be here 24/7 to get things fixed. If this goes on, businesses could close. No one seems to care that we are jumping up and down with frustration."

Other retailers in the area say they are facing financial ruin as a result of the roadworks and estimate takings are down by 75 per cent.

A new business, which had been due to open last weekend, was forced to put its launch on hold.

A spokesman for Surrey County Council said: "You can't just wade into the hole and fix it - you have to find out what the cause is and at the moment we are still investigating.

"It may be a geological thing. We need to carry out radar imaging to find out what is going on. We have been liaising very closely with the traders."