A hostel for the homeless is being kept open despite fears that drug addicts pose a risk to other residents.

Brighton and Hove city councillors said St Catherine's Lodge in Kingsway, Hove, fulfilled an acute need and closing it now would spell disaster.

But Councillor Geoffrey Wells said he had heard of families who were offered drugs up to three times a day.

He added: "They have had their chance and they are back here again begging for another year. The residents have suffered enough and I think we should put a stop to it or give them time to wind the business down and give us time to rehouse those we need to help in hostels in other areas."

Councillor Jan Young said substance misusers were often housed alongside families.

She said: "By placing our city's most vulnerable families here we are putting them at potential risk."

Councillors said the only reason they were supporting the application was to avoid "dumping a problem on the housing people".

They agreed the 50-bedroom hostel, designed to house families for up to six weeks, could remain open for one more year while alternative accommodation was found.

Councillor Jack Hazelgrove, chairman of the housing committee, said: "We will ask to set in place a replacement for this accommodation in a year's time. It would be unrealistic to pull the plug now."

Since it was converted to a hostel four years ago the private hotel, which is blockbooked by the council's housing department, has had a history of complaints.

Residents say they have been subjected to verbal abuse, vandalism and pilfering.