Hove MP Ivor Caplin wants longer pedestrianisation hours brought in during the summer for George Street.

He believes traffic should be barred for an extra four hours, until 8pm.

Mr Caplin will make the suggestion at a meeting of Hove Business Association tonight.

It would allow shops to stay open later and avoid the rush of motorists who now queue to park in George Street when it reopens to traffic at 4pm every day.

The MP said: "I am not just talking about the bars and cafes but all the businesses in George Street and Blatchington Road staying open later.

"There has been an increased occupancy of shops since pedestrianisation was introduced and the area has been busy as a result."

He suggests an experimental scheme for three or four months next summer. It would then be up to businesses and the city council to decide if the scheme should be repeated every year.

Keith Bryden, of Hove Business Association, said: "It would cause all sorts of difficulties with deliveries and for customers who need to collect bulky goods.

"There is no rear access to the shops in George Street and deliveries can only be made before 10am or after 4pm.

"If they are going to keep the road shut until 8pm, it is going to add to retailers' costs and it is unfair to ask staff to work on after the shop has shut that late at night."