Tory city councillors are opposing plans to cut three subsidised bus services.

Brighton and Hove City Council is being recommended to axe routes 13 and 13a, 35 and the Sunday park-and-ride service.

All three routes serve Westdene. Local Tory councillors Pat Drake, John Drake and Ann Norman said the cuts were unacceptable.

Coun Norman said: "I strongly oppose these cuts in services, which have been made without full consultation with users and ward councillors.

"Many residents have shopped all their lives at the Open Market where they can buy most of their weekly shopping. I urge the city council to defer these decisions to allow further consultation to take place.

"Residents, many elderly, living in areas on the outskirts of the city such as Westdene, rely solely on the bus services to get into Brighton and Hove."

She said the 13/13a service, which runs every two hours between Westdene and Hove town centre, also serves the Mill View Hospital/Polyclinic site in Hove and Sainsbury's at Benfield Valley.

Coun Norman added: "Many of the local doctors refer patients to the Hove Polyclinic.

"Some of them are elderly, do not drive and rely on this service to keep their appointments.

"Service 35 runs on an hourly basis between Westdene, Seven Dials, London Road and the Open Market.

"Patronage has grown at a steady rate and once again, if this service is axed, shoppers will not be able to get to and from London Road to shop."

Areport to the council says the buses are poorly used and that cuts must be made in subsidy to balance the budget.