A new superstore could be held up because work to decontaminate the land it is to be built on will take longer than expected.

Brighton and Hove City Council has already given outline approval for the former gasworks site in Church Road, Hove, to be redeveloped.

The scheme to build a Tesco supermarket will bring much-needed jobs to Hove.

It will also mean developers Beeleigh moving neighbouring St Andrew's School from its present building to a new school to the north of the site.

The existing gas holder which dominated Church Road is to be demolished.

But the land is contaminated by gas and affected soil will have to be removed before construction can begin.

Hove councillor Brian Oxley has been told decontamination work could now take longer than expected.

Coun Oxley, opposition leader on the city council, said: "I understand that it is now estimated the work will take 12 months or more.

"The developers are likely to apply for a variation of the conditions imposed when they were given outline permission last year.

"It concerns me that very little information has been made available to local councillors about this likely delay."

A council spokeswoman said: "Everyone expected the contaminated land would be cleared before work could begin.

"I understand that it is now estimated the decontamination will take a year to complete. I do not believe we have received detailed plans for the site.

"We will endeavour to keep Councillor Oxley and other councillors updated as soon as we receive the detailed plans."