A council has drafted in extra staff to clear a massive backlog in planning applications.

Brighton and Hove householders hoping to add extensions and conservatories to their homes have been told to expect at least a six-week delay before their bids are formally registered.

Businesses with plans to expand or move into the city also face a lengthy wait.

The council's planning department has been working evenings and weekends in an attempt to clear the mountain of requests which have been building up since the start of the year.

Now it has taken on temporary staff to help with the paperwork.

Even the multi-million pound bid to redevelop the old railway station site in Brighton was held in the queue as officers struggled to clear their in-trays.

It now takes at least a month for most applications to be registered, which is just the first step in the planning process.

One disgruntled applicant, who lives in Rottingdean, said: "The entire department is in chaos.

"We want to put up a conservatory for the summer but we've had to wait so long it's going to be winter by the time we can get on and build it."

The council's team of 13 officers typically deals with around 200 applications a month from domestic extensions to full-scale city-centre developments.

Planning committee chairman Councillor Roy Pennington said: "I'm concerned there have been delays and I know it makes people angry because they feel they are being made to wait while these huge developments are prioritised.

"They have taken on five temporary staff and are filling the vacancies at present but personally I think the team is not big enough and should be increased."

A council spokesman said: "We do have a backlog but that should not discourage people from making planning applications.

"Spring and summer are always busy but we've taken on temporary staff and are working through them as quickly as possible.

"If an application is really urgent, people should let us know because we are able to fast-track applications if there is good reason.

"We can't put a time period on delays for this reason. It is still possible to get an application heard quickly but on the other hand it could take several weeks."