Plans to turn a former old people's home into a rehabilitation centre for recovering drug and alcohol users will get their first public airing next week.

Phoenix House Housing Association wants to convert the former retirement home for actors at Chanctonbury House, in Dyke Road, Brighton.

Councillors and community representatives have been invited to the existing centre in Seafield Road, Hove, to see it at work.

The association wants to move to the larger Chanctonbury House, which would offer rehabilitation to parents with drug or drink problems.

Peter Hassett, Phoenix House's director of services, said parents using the service were on their "final warning" and would see their children go into care if they do not kick their habit.

He said: "These are parents who have got drug problems and they are often pretty much at the end of the road as far as local authorities are concerned."

If the association wins planning permission, 20 parents and children would be housed at Chanctonbury House, nearly double the figure at Seafield Road.

An attempt to move to Eaton Gardens was frustrated when the building was sold to another buyer.

Now the proposed Dyke Road move is under fire from residents who claim it is the wrong place for a centre like Phoenix House.

Bob Westley, chairman of the Prestonville Community Association, said there were several off-licences nearby and it would be easy for residents to get alcohol.

Turning Chanctonbury House into a rehabilitation centre could also attract drugs dealers to the area, he said.

But Mr Hassett said: "Our track record is that we don't have problems of that nature, at any of our services we are good neighbours. We have never had any problem in Seafield Road."

Brighton and Hove Council planners are expected to consider a planning application to change the use of Chanctonbury House in late September.