Animals lovers protest against park-and-ride

Many of the dogs were wrapped in scarves, jumpers and jackets as they braved the cold outside Brighton and Hove City Council offices yesterday.

RSPCA staff were joined by scores of volunteers, animal lovers and their pets as they demonstrated against plans to build a park-and-ride scheme near their Sussex, Brighton and East Grinstead centre, off Braypool Lane, Brighton.

Staff fear the scheme will blight the centre and dog walkers say they will lose a space to exercise their pets.

More than 40 people braved the freezing temperatures and snow to lobby councillors and workers arriving at the offices.

Supporters started out outside Brighton town hall in Bartholomew Square just before 4pm, waving placards with the words "Say No To Braypool" and "The Heartless versus The Homeless; Leave the RSPCA Grounds Alone".

Pop Idol's Mr Nasty Simon Cowell sent a message of support through his mother Julie, 80, who said: "Animals are part of our lives, the RSPCA do fantastic work at this centre and the idea of taking away this field is just barmy."

Frances Lindsay-Hills, RSPCA Brighton and Hove branch chair and former councillor, appealed to the city council to choose a different location. Other areas under consideration for the project include land at Patcham Court Farm.

Mrs Lindsay-Hills said: "We take up to 3,000 animals every year - where will the people of Brighton and Hove go with their pets if we close?"

Protesters carried their banners on to Hove town hall in Norton Road just in time to greet councillors, including Lib Dem leader Paul Elgood and Tory councillor Geoffrey Theobald, arriving for a meeting at 5pm.

Coun Elgood said: "I am 100 per cent against park-and-ride at Braypool. It is the wrong site and it is good for people to have a demonstration to hammer the message home."

But Labour council leader Ken Bodfish argued the park-and-ride scheme was essential to improve life in Brighton and Hove.