Most people responding to a survey have supported plans for a leisure centre.

Almost four out of five people backed Brighton and Hove City Council's proposals to build a new King Alfred leisure centre on the seafront in Hove, paid for by building hundreds of flats nearby.

More than 1,000 people replied to the council's survey, sent to one home in every 16 within the centre's catchment area.

Of these, 87 per cent backed the idea of flats and most wanted the centre to be built with up to 400 homes.

Only six per cent backed alternatives of partially rebuilding or renovating the centre with slightly fewer homes.

About 500 members of the King Alfred replied to a second survey and 84 per cent favoured development, with 88 per cent wanting a rebuild.

More than 150 leaflets were returned from libraries and public buildings, with 55 per cent backing development and 88 per cent supporting rebuilding.

Only in an email survey on the council's web site did residents not back the plan. Of 53 people who voted, 36 opposed new homes.

Councillor Mike Middleton, who chaired a task group into the centre's future, said: "We asked people if they would support our view that flats could be used to pay for a new sports centre and they overwhelmingly said yes.

"Having accepted the flats, they strongly support building a new sports centre. This is the option the council prefers and we're very pleased people agree with us."

However, Liberal Democrat group leader Paul Elgood said: "We found in our own survey there are very real concerns about large-scale residential development.

"We are presenting a petition to the city council opposing this development."

Members of the council policy committee will be recommended to go for a rebuild and 400 flats at a meeting on Tuesday.

If that is agreed, the council will search for a developer.

Tory councillor Denise Cobb, who put forward the People's Plan for the King Alfred, said a public meeting in May had unanimously opposed housing on the site.

She will present a petition opposing housing, signed by hundreds of residents, to the city mayor David Watkins tomorrow.