A drop-in service for travellers at a cricket pavilion will be limited and low-key.

Brighton and Hove Tory councillor Brian Pidgeon raised the concerns of Patcham people about the service, starting next month in the pavilion at Horsdean.

He asked instead whether a portable building could be used for the service instead of a cricket pavilion.

Assistant environment director Pat Foster said the experiment was designed mainly for travellers at the official site in Horsdean.

They were likely to walk from the site on the other side of the bypass and, if they brought vehicles with them, they would be asked not to drive them on the grass.

She said: "The service should be very low-key. It is only for two hours a week and is aimed at a very limited number."

Coun Pidgeon said: "Councillors were not told about it, which allowed rumours to spread. I think they were trying to keep it secret."

Ms Foster told him: "I am sorry you found out about this from residents. I should have anticipated people would feel alarmed and contact you."