Town hall officials across Sussex have said they have no plans to ban access to payday loan websites from public computers.

As they look to hit back against firms offering loans at sky-high rates of interest to vulnerable people, councils across the country have blocked access to a number of websites for its IT equipment in libraries and other public buildings.

The motive is to show that it will not play a hand in pushing people into spiralling debt.

But, despite others receiving positive press and praise from campaigners, none of the three major local authorities in Sussex have said they will introduce a ban.

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said there was “no evidence” that people used local authority or library computers to access loans.

But Warren Morgan, leader of the Labour group on Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “I’m very disappointed that the Green-led council has chosen not to tackle payday lenders, who often charge over 5,800% in interest leading to unmanageable debt.

“These are simple and effective measures which Labour councils up and down the country are taking to defend residents from these legal loan sharks.”

One of the first town halls in the country to introduce the ban was Cheshire East Council.

It said the move was prompted by members of the public, with officials adding there was evidence that under-18s were now accessing the loans from firms such as Wonga.

But a city council spokesman said: “National news reports on this seem to carry no evidence that people are using council or library computers to access payday loans.

“We’ll be circulating the reports to relevant councillors and managers.

“If it’s felt the practice was widespread we would look at potential solutions.”

A West Sussex County Council spokesman said: “Illegal and pornographic sites are blocked on West Sussex library computers.

“However it is not the county council’s role to effectively censor other websites.

“The purpose of providing internet-linked computers is to allow residents access to the digital world.”

An East Sussex County Council spokeswoman said: “East Sussex County Council has not made a formal decision on whether to ban access to payday loan websites from public computers.

“However, the authority does actively support credit unions.”