Consultants are being hired to help settle a row over skyscrapers in Brighton and Hove.

World-renowned architects have drawn up plans for high-rise apartment blocks in several key places around the city.

These include Piers Gough's vision for the Endeavour Motors site near Preston Park and Frank Gehry's daring design for the King Alfred Leisure Centre on Hove seafront.

The plans have provoked outrage in some quarters with residents claiming they are out of character and proportion with their surroundings.

Brighton and Hove City Council policy is to use all available brownfield land to its "maximum potential" to avoid building on the countryside.

The authority will now bring in independent urban design consultancy Gillespies to see if this means building skyscrapers.

Gillespies will work alongside property advisors GVA Grimley to consult with businesses, transport operators and amenity groups to produce a tall buildings strategy.

Councillor Gill Mitchell, who chairs the environment committee, said: "We are taking expert advice on the siting of tall buildings in order to preserve and improve Brighton and Hove's distinctive urban character.

"The results will give us specific guidance for each individual area of the city and this will ensure developments are of the highest standard, are sustainable and complement the buildings that are part of our heritage."

Conservative group leader Brian Oxley backed the consultation.

He said: "Things are having to be looked at again to see if there is a consensus on the council. Considering this again over the summer is the right way to go ahead.

"We have said all along we do not believe what is being proposed for the King Alfred is right. We want to see redevelopment but do not believe tall buildings are the right answer for the seafront. They would dominate and be completely out of character."

The study will say which areas are suitable for skyscrapers.