Councillors have been accused of "sheer hypocrisy" after more than two thirds of them turned down free public transport in favour of car park passes.

All 78 Brighton and Hove councillors were asked by the authority whether they wanted a free bus pass for their journey to work or a pass which gave them free parking.

A total of 53 opted for the car park passes, including four members of the Labour cabinet which aims to reduce traffic and promote public transport. The rest opted for the bus passes.

The cabinet members were Councillors Ken Bodfish, Frieda Warman-Brown, Tehmtan Framroze and Simon Charleton.

Russell Hicks, chairman of Campaign for a Better Brighton and Hove said: "This is sheer hypocrisy. I don't think Joe Public would mind any imposition on being told how to use his car, provided that the Government and council did the same."

The council has repeatedly attempted to curtail car usage and will meet on Wednesday to discuss its sustainable transport strategy.

A report drawn up for the meeting says the council "seeks to limit the growth of traffic" and "promote forms of transport that are less damaging to the environment with lower levels of air and noise pollution."

It adds that "the use of private cars for non essential journeys at peak times by those who could use alternative transport means needs to be reduced."

Coun Bodfish, executive councillor for regeneration, said: "Our policy is one of using the most appropriate means of transport. I travel to London on a regular basis and a car is the only thing I can use.

"If you leave work at 8am to go to London and then have a council meeting which finishes at 9pm, I would have to take two buses to get home."

Council leader Lynette Gwyn-Jones said: "We are not anti-car, we are anti-congestion and anti-pollution. We will only keep the freedom offered by the car if we can reduce our dependence on it."

News of the perk comes after the council decided not to increase subsidies to buses, meaning cuts to some routes this October.

The passes have been available since the council became a unitary authority in 1997.

The car park passes allow access to spaces in Norton Road and The Lanes.