Neighnours in a conservation area have stopped buses rumbling past their homes on Sundays and bank holidays.

It is a small victory for people in Upper Gloucester Road, Brighton, who complain the vehicles shake their properties and cause so much pollution they have to clean their windows daily.

Cracks have appeared in the walls of the houses - which featured in the 1947 film Brighton Rock - since 22 buses an hour started using the narrow street in the West Hill conservation area.

Some of the listed buildings are more than 200 years old.

In a typical half-hour, 200 cars and 42 vans and lorries also use the road.

Neighbours have been battling for more than five years to have the buses re-routed.

Ten years ago, only the number 7 bus used the road. But two years ago roadworks in Buckingham Road diverted drivers along Upper Gloucester Road and it has become part of the route ever since.

Neighbours have writtenletters, taken photos and lobbied city councillors.

Roger French, managing director of the Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company, has now agreed to re-route dozens of buses as part of the new summer timetable, which starts on April 25.

The services which will be sent via Queen's Road include the 10A, 14B, 14C, 22, 52 and 81A. The number 7 will continue to use the route, although there will be one bus fewer per hour in each direction.

Sheila Rickards, who lives in the street, said the re-routed buses were Sunday and bank holiday services.

She added: "It's a silly gesture to keep us quiet. It won't make a difference at all."

"I think this is a gesture and Mr French thinks we are stupid. The 14 and 14A are double-deckers which come along here all day, mostly empty."

Ms Rickards vowed to continue the fight to have all the buses re-routed.

Mr French said: "It's not a trial, the new routes will be permanent.

"We hope it will alleviate some of the points the residents made.

"We looked at the feedback we had from customers and residents and looked at how we could change things."

Green city councillor Simon Williams welcomed the changes.

He said: "Residents have been raising this for several months and it certainly felt like a bit of a bus conveyor-belt when I visited the area.

"It's often difficult to manage the environmental impact of a bus service on local residents alongside maintaining a good service."