Party rivals stood shoulder to shoulder today to launch a newspaper against plans for a city mayor.

Labour councillor Francis Tonks and Tory councillor Garry Peltzer Dunn jointly chair Allies for Democracy.

It has produced 120,000 copies of a newspaper which is being distributed to every home in Brighton and Hove.

With them were Green councillors Rik Child and Keith Taylor while Liberal Democrat councillors sent their best wishes.

Also at the launch outside Brighton Town Hall were members of community organisations and the General Workers Union.

Coun Peltzer Dunn said the No campaign was receiving donations ranging from £2 to £25 from ordinary people rather than big business.

Coun Tonks said: "There is a groundswell of opinion against having a city mayor."

The city council is staging a referendum next month on whether Brighton and Hove should have a directly-elected mayor. The alternative would be an improved version of the old committee system.

Tory opposition leader Brian Oxley said: "Allies for Democracy has demonstrated it is drawing support from across the political spectrum.

"Local politicians who support a mayor seem to be doing so not for the better government of Brighton and Hove but for their own personal advancement.

"We need to stop looking inward and do what the people want us to do and provide decent services at a reasonable cost.

"Constitutional changes are a distraction and are about Tony Blair's obsessions rather than the needs of people and how they lead their lives."

Yes campaigner Lord Bassam of Brighton said: "The No campaign newspaper is a despicable document full of half truths and innuendoes.

"Decent politicians should have nothing to do with a campaign dominated by extremists. People should aim to rise above personalities and concentrate on ensuring we have a system that can deliver top-quality city services."