Traders whose protests have stopped traffic in Brighton and Hove are toning down their demonstrations during the war on Iraq.

TAPP, Traders Against Parking Persecution, said that because of the heightened state of security following the invasion of Iraq, their next protest would not involve bringing the city to a standstill with a slow-moving convoy of vehicles.

Traders, angry at Brighton and Hove City Council's parking waiver and traders' parking permits policy, were planning to drive slowly around Brighton Town Hall with loudspeakers blaring when the next full council meeting takes place on Thursday, April 3.

A similar protest last year severely disrupted evening rush-hour traffic through Brighton.

Builder Roger McArthur, one of the protest organisers, said TAPP members would now carry out a foot protest and gather outside the town hall to lobby councillors.

He said: "We are a responsible organisation which has worked and complied with the police requests so far.

"Because we know police are stretched due to the increased security situation, our protest on April 3 will be on foot and centred on lobbying councillors.

"We are not letting up on our campaign to get a fairer parking deal for those who need to park in central Brighton to carry out their work."