This controversial sign is welcoming thousands of motorists arriving in Brighton every day.

The huge landmark welcoming visitors to Brighton and Hove has been criticised as a "monstrosity."

It has gone up in the last few weeks off the A23 roundabout on London Road, Patcham.

Conservative councillors have criticised the new welcome sign, which bears the Council logo.

Councillors Carol and Geoffrey Theobald, who represent the Patcham ward, have labelled the giant sign a monstrosity.

Coun Geoffrey Theobald said: "People have been complaining about it, I have asked the council why we were not consulted."

Some Patcham residents are divided on the merits of the sign.

Stella Grant, of Carden Avenue, said she thought the banner was a good idea.

"But a flower bed spelling out the welcome sign in the middle of the roundabout would have been better.

"The stones at the side of this sign make it look a bit harsh."

Motorist Rosie Nixon, 28, from London, saw the sign for the first time yesterday as she travelled to see friends in Brighton.

But she said: "It is just too big and makes it look like you are entering a tennis club or something.

"I think they could have chosen something a little smaller and more tasteful. A lot of people will see this and will not be very impressed."

But lead councillor for leisure Mike Middleton gave his support to the sign: "I have been on holiday for the last two weeks and when we got a taxi back I saw the sign there and I thought it looked wonderful.

"Since then, I have had lots of people phoning me and saying how great they think it is.

"It really welcomes people into the area."

Coun Middleton said: "Planning permission wasn't required for the sign. If you needed planning permission for everything, nothing would ever get done.

"This sign is all about welcoming people to our wonderful city-to-be and we should be proud of it."