Hundreds of banner-waving deaf people brought traffic to a standstill in Brighton as part of a campaign to get sign language recognised.

Protesters marched through the streets, waving placards and handing leaflets to shoppers on Saturday afternoon.

They demonstrated from Brighton station through the city centre and on to The Level as part of a bid to get British Sign Language (BSL) recognised.

Campaigners say recognition of BSL would provide deaf people with equality in law, equal access to education in their preferred language and improve access to employment opportunities, public information and health care.

The march was organised by members of the Sussex Union of Deaf People, which was created 18 months ago.

PC Grant McKee, who helped police the event, proved popular with marchers because he can use BSL. He is one of only two officers in Sussex who can sign Sally Reynolds, one of the march organisers, said: "The pressure is definitely mounting now on the Government. It's really important because there's not much access in this area for deaf people and we are putting them on the map today."

Deaf and hearing people addressed marchers on The Level. They included members of the deaf community, MPs and councillors, Mayor of Brighton and Hove Andy Durr and broadcaster Simon Fanshawe.

David Lepper, Labour MP for Brighton Pavilion, told the crowd he would be lobbying the Government to recognise BSL.

He said: "For more than 70,000 deaf people in the UK, BSL is their preferred language. It is the fourth most used indigenous language in the country, but not officially recognised as a language."

Brighton and Hove city councillor Keith Taylor told the marchers he would investigate what provision the council makes for the deaf.

PC McKee, whose partner is deaf, said: "We need equality and BSL needs recognition in the same way as the Welsh language. Schools should teach it even if it is only for an hour a week."