Protesters angry over a plan to close beds at a residential home voiced their fury at a demonstration last night.

Brighton and Hove City Council chiefs say parts of the Knoll House respite centre in Ingram Crescent, Hove, will soon not meet modern standards.

But thousands of people have already signed a petition against the plan and a band of campaigners waving placards outside Hove Town Hall, before a full meeting of the city council, told councillors the facility should remain open.

The group was joined outside the venue by around 100 social workers who claimed two colleagues had been made "scapegoats" over the death of four-year-old John Smith.

The social workers admitted there had been failings in the system when John died after being cruelly treated by adoptive parents Simon and Michelle McWilliam.

But they said they were angry colleagues Dave Pamely and John Barrow were being made scapegoats for the boy's death, by social services director Allan Bowman.

Social worker Andy Bell, 31, said: "People are sick of not being listened to. The protest was a very clear expression of frustration and anger at not being supported by this council.

"We want a safe service, not lip service."