Public opinion is split over whether or not Brighton and Hove should hold an official Golden Jubilee celebration.

Voters in a poll conducted on The Argus website thisisbrightonandhove.co.uk were marginally in favour of an official jubilee event but the results were close.

In a five-day poll 55 per cent said an event should be organised to honour the 50th anniversary of the Queen's accession and 45 per cent said there should not.

The poll was conducted in response to increasing controversy about what kind of celebrations should take place in the city.

Brighton and Hove City Council said it planned to plant jubilee-themed flowers and take part in a nationwide baton relay.

It said a host of events were planned for its European City of Culture bid but none specifically aimed at celebrating the jubilee.

The council denied the decision was intended as a snub to the Queen, who was given VIP treatment when she visited the city in March last year.

But others criticised the move, accusing the council of churlishness towards the monarch, who only last year granted Brighton and Hove city status.

Disagreement persisted in the city between those who thought the anniversary should be officially marked and those who think the council should save its money to spend on public services.

City council opposition leader Councillor Brian Oxley said: "The majority have said they were in favour of a celebration, which is gratifying.

"Everybody I have spoken to in the last week has said they agreed with me absolutely the council should be doing something to mark this occasion."

But Emma Lewis, a 27 year-old recruitment consultant from Kemp Town. said: "I certainly do not think the council should spend a lot of council tax payers' money on a big event for the jubilee.

"It is not as if they have money to spare and I would much rather see them investing in things like refuse collections, housing and social services"

"The Queen and the royal family already receive enough public money, without spending more on the jubilee."