A new £500,000 centre for adults with mental health problems could open in East Brighton if proposals get the go ahead next month.

The proposed new centre at Brighton General Hospital will provide a day hospital, drop-in centre and cafe for people from East Brighton, Newhaven and Peacehaven.

The Fletching Building at the hospital, which is currently empty, has been earmarked for the project and will be a base for community mental health teams and consultants for the Brighton area.

The scheme would be a huge boost to people who currently have to travel to Buckingham Road on the west side of Brighton for drop-in facilities.

It is also hoped workers based at the new centre will run satellite sessions in Lewes and Peacehaven one day a week for people who find it difficult to travel because of their illness.

Helen Greatorex, general manager for adult health services with South Downs Health NHS Trust, said: "This would provide much better surroundings than we currently have for the day hospital patients.

"It would have the added advantage of the drop-in centre which is such a vital support to many of our clients.

"Anything we can do to support people who are managing at home is so important because ultimately it means they have a greater chance of remaining stable and not being admitted to hospital."

If agreed, almost half the cost of the five-year scheme, which includes refurbishing the building, would be met by Brighton and Hove Council as part of its commitment to joint working with the health service.

The proposals will be considered by the council's policy and resources committee and by the trust board in November.

Jean Spray, the council's executive councillor for social care and health, said: "I believe the centre would be a boost for many people in East Brighton who find it difficult to use specialist resources based elsewhere in Brighton and Hove."

If final approval is given, the centre could open at the end of 2001.