An aquarium has scrapped its plans to exhibit seals, penguins and sea otters.

Brighton Sea Life Centre has shelved the idea of introducing the creatures at its site close to the Palace Pier.

Earlier this year the centre won planning permission to build pools to display two seals, which would have been joined later by penguins and otters. The plans attracted opposition from animal rights groups.

Today The Argus can exclusively reveal that the centre will no longer be taking the two seals, which have been rehoused at an unnamed site run by parent company Merlin Entertainments.

The centre, in Madeira Drive, said the decision was not taken because of protests but because Brighton and Hove City Council's planning process had lasted so long, forcing it to consider other options. But campaigners insisted their demonstrations had been successful.

In a statement Toby Forer, senior general manager for the centre, said: "Brighton Sea Life Centre has postponed indefinitely its plans to develop a seal sanctuary in favour of alternative new attractions.

"The long delay in gaining planning permission for the proposed sanctuary forced us to create a different new attraction for the current season and also prompted other ideas for the future.

"The seals we intended providing a home for have been suitably rehoused.

"While the seal facility would have been one of the best in the UK ... the alternate attractions now being planned will be just as exciting."

For five months protesters manned a stall near the centre every weekend, asking for signatures opposing the plan and handing out leaflets.

Speaking exclusively to The Argus, Mr Forer denied they had shaped the decision.

He said: "Merlin has never been and never will be influenced by extremist action or what they feel is lawful protest. It has not impacted on our business but we will not be sorry to see the protests ended."

He said because of the delay in the planning process, the centre had started a new exhibition called Venom with sea snakes which was very popular.

He would not say what other animals might be exhibited in future, nor where the seals had gone. He said: "Animal welfare is one of the most important things."

Campaigner Lisa Gooch, from Tilgate, Crawley, said: "This is brilliant. I can't believe it. I am over the moon.

"I do think it is a result of the campaign. They have been absolutely sick of us. We have had so much public support." Miss Gooch is treasurer for Brighton Animal Action, which spearheaded the campaign with backing from the Born Free Foundation, International Marine Rescue, the Captive Animal Protection Society, the Green Party and the RSPCA.

She said it may not be the end of the protests. She said: "There is a lot of animals in there that need saving."

Mike Nunn, from Seaford, who was heavily involved in the campaign but has now stepped down from Brighton Animal Action, said: "It is a result of the people of Brighton. We have received so much support.

"More than 4,000 people signed our last petition."