A council's plan to stabilise crumbling cliffs after rock falls has been attacked by its own conservation watchdog.

Brighton and Hove City Council's Wildlife Advisory Group criticised the proposal, saying it would do too much damage to the protected cliff face.

The council wants to stop further rock falls by removing the top two metres of cliff, shaving back the next five metres and using mesh and bolts to stabilise other sections.

The popular Undercliff Walk has been closed since a series of falls last winter and spring from cliffs behind Brighton Marina.

Watchdog chairman Steve Waite said it was not certain the walk would be reopened to the public if the work was done.

He said: "The proposed engineered solution that appears to be favoured by the council isn't the best way of protecting the wildlife or geological features at that site.

"From our point of view, we are not happy with the suggested solution to that on wildlife grounds."

The work would be limited to a short section of cliff behind the Asda store, which is protected as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) because of rare flowers growing there.

English Nature, the body responsible for policing SSSIs, has agreed to the plan.

The council has been told, however, that it would not be able to repeat the stabilisation work further along the cliffs because of their geological importance.

The council expects to consider a planning application for the work early next month.