Housing activists and unionists have joined a national protest asking for more investment in homes.

The delegation met both Brighton's Labour MPs, Des Turner and David Lepper, in London.

The group is signing a motion calling for an end to privatisation of council homes and for investment in council housing with no strings attached.

Lobbyists called for councils to be given greater freedom and more cash so they can provide better, low-cost housing.

Steve Foster, of Unison in Brighton and Hove, said public investment is cheaper than the privately-funded alternatives and keeps housing under democratic control.

It could be the most efficient and effective way to challenge the housing crisis if councils were allowed to buy or build.

The average property in Brighton and Hove now needs an income of £35,000 to buy, and renting is not much cheaper.

Mr Foster said: "This is a key issue for workers - pay is simply not keeping pace and the right to housing is as fundamental as health or education.

"Yet housing seems to have dropped off the political agenda.

"Our objective is to stop the unnecessary and expensive sell-off of the council's remaining stock and restore some of the public investment in council housing that has been lost in recent years.

"Brighton and Hove's workers deserve decent, safe and low-cost homes.

"An adequate supply of quality and well-managed council housing is simply the best way to achieve this."