Developers behind the £30 million King Alfred development in Hove are planning to drop a casino from the scheme.

Citygrove Leisure believe the move will help speed up work at the site because of the length of time it takes to obtain a gaming licence.

The company has also announced it has signed a deal with UGC, formerly Virgin, to run the multiplex cinema at the site.

Director Toby Baines said: "A gaming licence could hold things up by six months or more and we don't want that kind of delay.

"We are hoping that the final contracts and bits and pieces will be in place by September or October with a view to starting work in January."

There have been calls for an inquiry into the finances of Citygrove after it was given a zero credit-rating by a leading commerce company.

Glasgow-based Equifax, asked to carry out a credit check by a Sussex businessman who does not want to be identified, delivered a report on June 17.

It revealed Citygrove had not filed a full set of company accounts since June 1998.

Former Brighton and Hove Mayor Jenny Langston said council bosses should now hold an full financial inquiry.