The search for an urgently needed new sewage works for Brighton and Hove has been narrowed down to two sites, an MP has claimed.

Kemp Town MP Des Turner said Upper Sheepcote Valley and Peacehaven East had emerged as front runners but warned neither was likely to win planning permission.

Southern Water published a shortlist of eight sites for the £200 million plant earlier this year and expects to make a decision later this month.

The water giant needs to build a modern sewage treatment works after plans to redevelop the Portobello plant, at Telscombe Cliffs, were rejected by a public inquiry.

Dr Turner said: "My understanding is that all of the sites are still in consideration but it seems pretty likely that two sites are favoured by the engineers, and they are Upper Sheepcote Valley and Peacehaven."

The other shortlisted sites are: Black Rock, Lower Sheepcote Valley and Ovingdean, all in Brighton and Hove; Shoreham Harbour, in Adur district; and Brookside Farm and North Quay, both in Newhaven.

Dr Turner said neither of Upper Sheepcote Valley or Peacehaven East was suitable and Southern water risked a repeat of the Portobello fiasco if it tried to build at a greenfield site.

He said Upper Sheepcote Valley was a tip for 50 years and residents had been promised green space when it closed. The Peacehaven site, meanwhile, would involve some building in the Sussex Downs area of outstanding natural beauty.

Jane Hawkins, of the Friends of Sheepcote Valley, said: "It is always east Brighton that gets the flak because they think we are a soft touch.

"It could be a very expensive mistake for Southern Water if they opt for Sheepcote Valley because we will take it to public inquiry."

John Carden, of Peacehaven Labour Party, said: "I am very disturbed Southern Water has not looked at a brownfield site and appears to have gone for the easy option of a greenfield site."

Southern Water said it was continuing to evaluate all eight sites before deciding which was the preferred location.

Brighton and Hove produces 95 million litres of waste water every day.

The resort will be unable to meet EU seawater cleanliness standards until the new plant is operating.