Local people have drawn up a redevelopment plan for a park they say is used by drug dealers.

They want Brighton and Hove Council to take action to restore Stoneham Park, off Marmion Road.

Stoneham Park Association has prepared the £160,000 plan.

Chairman Peter Byard led a deputation to a Brighton and Hove Council meeting last night and said local people had already raised £5,000 towards it.

He added: "Local people have waited four years or more for the refurbishment of a park which everyone knows badly needs it.

"Crime, which had been reduced significantly by the activities of the local community, is now rising again.

"Drug dealing is back in the park. A local shop was firebombed when it became known the owner had assisted the police. We have had enough."

Mr Byard said renovating the park would bring in more families, which would discourage undesirable elements.

Culture councillor Ian Duncan said the council had recently spent £45,000 on Stoneham Park.

He said: "I hope we can continue to work together with a view to solving this problem as soon as possible."

He said renovating the park alone would not solve the problem.

Coun Bob Carden, who chairs the police consultation partnership, said he would speak to the force about Stoneham Park.