Brighton and Hove has decided not to join other cities and towns across Europe to hold a car-free day.

The event is taking place on September 22, but Brighton and Hove Council has declined an invitation by cyclists and environmentalists to take part.

John Clinton from Bricycles and the Cyclists' Touring Club, put the idea to the council. He received support from other organisations including the Green Party.

Mr Clinton said: "On that day, Europeans will rediscover their city centres. They will experience something long forgotten; the enjoyment of walking freely on the streets without noise and air pollution.

"Children will be able to run around without anxious parents scurrying after them. Old people can forget the traffic and shoppers can experience the largest open air market of shops ever dreamed of."

Mr Clinton added: "We may be by the sea and closer to Europe than most in the UK, but farther away than you can imagine in thinking.

"Brighton has rejected car free day, paying lip service to the idea. There aren't even plans to consider it next year."

British authorities supporting the car-free day include Bath, York, Sittingbourne, Deal and some London boroughs.

Mr Clinton added: "Last year, 66 French and 92 Italian cities participated. Paris closed 40 miles of roads and people just could not believe how tranquil their city had become. More than 22 million people took part with more than 85 per cent wishing to see car-free days repeated."

These cities and towns will set aside areas solely for pedestrians, bicycles and public transport during normal working hours. The shops will trade as they would on a normal day.

Mr Clinton said people in favour of future car-free days should contact their MPs and the council.

A council spokeswoman said Brighton and Hove supported the idea in principle but it was not possible this year to get everything in place to take part in the event.

One reason is that September 22 is when preparations start for the Labour Party conference, which starts that weekend.

She said the council would be putting out a leaflet beforehand promoting the use of alternative forms of transport.

She added: "We do promote alternative forms of transport all the time and not just on one day."

Green convenor Pete West, whose group also raised the issue with the council, said: "This is disappointing. They could have planned it a long time ago.

"The Labour conference would have been an ideal time to show alternative modes of transport to members of the Cabinet. This is indicative of the half-hearted approach of the council towards alternative forms of transport.

"Instead it is keen to promote park and ride which will destroy downland and increase traffic on the roads."