Plans to bring the Moulin Rouge to Brighton and Hove have hit trouble after residents vowed to fight the project all the way.

Directors behind a £1 million lap-dancing club proposed for a former cinema site on Western Road called a public meeting in an attempt to win round those living nearby.

But their insistence that the Tivoli Club would not bring more drunkenness, noise and antisocial behaviour to the surrounding streets fell on deaf ears, with neighbours telling them: "We don't trust you".

More than 50 residents from Little Western Street, Farman Street and Cross Street have signed a petition objecting to the club, which hopes to secure a licence to open until 2am six nights a week.

Maarten Hoffmann, managing director of Colmaart Enterprises which is leasing the former cinema, said most of the club's customers would be conference delegates and those from the "mature, well-to-do market."

He said: "Drunks are not something we are concerned about because it is something that will not happen."

Mr Hoffmann added that the price of drinks would be "prohibitive", deterring drunkenness.

Residents at last night's meeting remained unimpressed.

One man won applause when he said people's wealth did not guarantee their good behaviour, adding: "The fact people wear suits and spend a lot of money doesn't really make a lot of difference."

Richard Oxford, of Farman Street, said: "People live opposite. It's not the middle of town. You go into town for a club."

Michael Cotton, of Little Western Street, said despite Mr Hoffmann's "good PR job" the residents would continue to do all they legally could to obstruct him, adding: "We don't trust you."

Nanouska Tighe, of Little Western Street, said: "It makes my spine shiver. As a woman living here alone I do not want men walking around drunk in the area late at night."

Mr Hoffmann, a BBC director for 17 years, said £117,000 had already been invested in the project.

He described the Tivoli as a cross between a lap-dancing club and a cabaret club - "risque and sexy" but with no full nudity.

He said: "It's not a discotheque. It is based along the same lines as the Moulin Rouge."

A BBC costume designer, choreographer and lighting director would help in its creation.

Local councillor Paul Elgood told directors to rethink their plans, suggesting they worked with residents on finding an alternative use for the long-empty building.

Mr Hoffman said club directors would meet today to discuss how to go forward in the light of residents' concerns, adding: "We didn't hold this meeting just to ignore what everybody has to say."