Disabled people have been alarmed by the departure of a city council's access officer.

They fear Brighton and Hove City Council will replace John O'Donnell with external consultants who will not know the area well enough.

The council says such concerns are unnecessary because it is fully committed to finding the best possible access for the disabled.

Thelma Burton, a member of the disabled access advisory group, said it would cost the council a six-figure sum to employ an outside company to make sure it implemented the Disability Discrimination Act.

She said: "We need a full-time access officer with an assistant to make this possible. An outside company would spend hours finding out where places are and who to see.

"John O'Donnell is the best person we are likely to get for this work."

Dr Hassan Davoodi and his wife, Betty, who are members of the group, said the council was lagging behind in implementing the legislation, which gives equal access to disabled people to all public buildings.

They said the group would call for a public inquiry and seek advice from the Disability Rights Commission.

Dr Davoodi said: "Mr O'Donnell brought a new awareness regarding the rights of disabled people and all-inclusive design.

"His skill makes him an expert in access requirements."

He added external consultants would not do the job as well and would cost more.

Mr O'Donnell left the council after resigning to take up a new post.

A council spokeswoman said his work, which ensures disabled access was provided in planning applications and open spaces, would continue. She said the future of the role would be decided after the council carried out a separate study ensuring its own buildings meet legal access requirements.

Specialist consultants may be used in the review.

A spokeswoman said: "It is expected the access officer post will continue to be carried out in-house but it makes sense to wait for the outcome of this review before taking a decision.

"It is certainly not true to say Mr O'Donnell has been replaced by an external consultant.

"Access for the disabled remains a top priority for the council, both in our own buildings and in building and redevelopments in the city, and will continue to do so."

She said a meeting had been set up to consider the points made by the disabled group.