Neighbours of a seafront hotel which could be used as emergency accommodation for asylum-seekers took their fears to city leaders last night.

A deputation from Saltdean went to Brighton and Hove City Council to complain about the choice of the Home Office of the Grand Ocean Hotel as an induction centre.

Resident Alan Hood urged the council to protest in the strongest possible terms to the Home Office saying Saltdean would be unable to cope with the influx of immigrants.

He said: "There has been an enormous response from the community in Saltdean to the Home Office's proposal. People are scared and frightened for the future of their community.

"We do not have objections to asylum seekers in principle and sympathise with those seeking to build a new life away from persecution and danger.

"Our concerns arise because the small residential area of Saltdean is not able to provide the infrastructure to support the influx of a large number people with the specific needs of asylum seekers."

Some Labour councillors walked out in protest during Mr Hood's five-minute speech.

Later, during councillors' question time, council leader Ken Bodfish said the National Asylum-Seekers' Service had not been efficient in dealing with the Saltdean placements.

He said the council had no role in the process other than to work out whether the asylum-seekers would make great demands on local services.

But he said many asylum-seekers in the past had contributed greatly to the life of Britain.

Asked by local Tory councillor Lynda Hyde whether the Grand Ocean Hotel had been sold, Coun Bodfish said he had no idea.