Residents and their pets are staging a backlash against fake trees installed at Brighton Marina.

Palm trees made out of metal poles and bits of coconut have been erected at the leisure complex in an attempt to recreate a bit of Miami glamour.

But the artificial palms have not been welcomed by people living nearby, who are keen to protect the upmarket reputation of their homes.

Some accused X-Leisure, the marina's parent company, of giving the area a "tacky" feel. The firm has installed 17 trees which, at 20ft high, tower above pedestrians and passing vehicles.

It said real palm trees would not be able to withstand the English climate.

Nick Rhodes, of Portside, chairman of the Brighton Marina Residents' Association, said: "We think they're ridiculous, frankly. They convince no one. They fill spaces which could have been filled by real trees. We're now waiting for the plastic coconuts to arrive.

"I guess at one level they're a bit of a harmless joke. But they're also symptomatic of the crass commercialisation of the marina.

"We're increasingly concerned about the wider threat of over-commercialisation and excessive development here - which is still a unique amenity for everyone - but in desperate need of protection from itself."

Others were worried that the trees would not last long because of the curiosity of visitors who would be tempted to pull off pieces of bark, while dogs would not be able to resist the temptation to relieve themselves against them.

Peter Martin, of Merton Court, deputy chairman of the residents' association, said he would prefer to see decorations more in keeping with the area.

He said: "It is difficult to think of Brighton having palm trees like this. When you see real palm trees they are not always of a uniform height in straight lines. It all seems a little tacky.

"I don't think they will last that long. You do see dogs walking through.

"People keep going up to them and pulling them to see if they are real. If you have thousands of visitors during the summer and they keep pulling at it, it won't last."

He added residents were concerned about what other developments were planned.

Peter Poole, 39, a professional artist who lives in Eastern Road, near the marina, said he was "astonished" to see the trees.

He said: "They are huge. I was amazed to see them. I thought they looked a bit too good to be true.

"I am glad they are there but I wish they would put some real greenery in."