A move to ban circuses which use animals has been rejected despite angry protests.

Brighton and Hove Council bans circuses with wild animals on its land but not domestic animals such as horses.

There were demonstrations by animal lovers when Zippo's Circus came to Hove Lawns for two weeks in August.

Liberal Democrat councillor Paul Elgood has previously presented a petition of 1,000 signatures to the council calling for a complete ban.

At a meeting last night he handed over 500 more and put forward a motion.

He said: "We believe the council, through its animal welfare charter, should not grant use of public land for such events."

A small group of animal lovers held up posters and lobbied councillors at the meeting in Hove Town Hall.

Culture councillor Ian Duncan said there could be problems if the council moved to ban circuses with horses and dogs.

It could eventually affect horseracing at Brighton, greyhound racing at Hove, dog shows or the May horse driving trials in Stanmer Park.

Coun Duncan added: "It is not illegal for circus proprietors to have performing animals as part of their show."

David Hibling, creative director of Zippo's, said he welcomed the decision and the circus was applying to return to the towns.

He said: "People enjoy seeing the horses. If they did not, we would not have them in the circus."

Mr Hibling said Zippo's abided by a code of conduct on animal welfare which was likely to be extended to all circuses.