Supermarket giant Sainsbury's has announced it will be opening another city convenience store.

The chain will open a Sainsbury's Local on the disused former Caffyn's car dealership site in Preston Road, Brighton, next year.

It made the announcement a month after refusing a request from The Argus to confirm or deny whether it had plans for the site.

Sainsbury's said it exchanged contracts last week and planned a 3,000 sq ft store which would create 30 jobs.

It will be the latest of six sites bought for use as Sainsbury's or Tesco convenience stores in Brighton and Hove in the past year.

The announcement has received a mixed reaction in the surrounding Preston Village neighbourhood.

Several residents and shopkeepers have voiced opposition while others said it would benefit the area.

Raj Asekaran, of the Super Store convenience shop in Preston Road, said it would be another blow to his business just a year after he was forced to close his post office counter.

He said: "I don't think it is needed around here, we have a Co-op just up the road at Fiveways, a Tesco Express at Dyke Road and a Sainsbury's, Morrisons and Lidl in London Road."

The store is already being opposed by dozens of residents, who have launched a campaign group called No Sainsbury's in Preston Village on the Facebook website.

Group founder Anna Hinton said: "It will bring increased traffic, noise and light pollution, and have a devastating effect on local trade and the neighbourly, historic character of Preston Village."

Sainsbury's is expected to have to apply for planning and licensing permission before the store can open.

Rus Hong, landlord of the Crown and Anchor in Preston Road, said he was sympathetic to other businesses but would welcome the shop.

He said: "A lot of our regulars are against it, I think people in Preston Village would rather keep more traditional shops, but personally I think it will be good because having a new shop will get the area moving and bring in more people."

This year new Tesco Metro stores have opened amid local opposition in St James's Street and Queen's Road, Brighton, while a campaign has started against an expected opening of another in Lewes Road, Brighton.

There has also been opposition to Sainsbury's plans for a new Local branch in Portland Road, Hove, due to open next year. It also expanded its store in Western Road, Brighton, earlier this year.

Mark Rush, Sainsbury's regional acquisition manager, said: "We are delighted to be opening a convenience store in Preston Park and help regenerate a vacant unit. It is our policy to tailor the products and services in our Local shops to ensure we fit with the local area and also to keep local residents informed of progress."