Campaigners are calling on a Government minister to stop the conversion of a historic theatre into an eight-screen cinema complex.

A petition calling on communities secretary Eric Pickles to call in the proposal to turn the Brighton Hippodrome in Middle Street into a Vue cinema.

The application was approved by Brighton and Hove City councillors at a meeting on Wednesday but the final say on whether work can begin will rest with the secretary of state.

Campaigners have already hit their target of 800 signatures for their online petition which can be signed at you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/stop-planning-approval-for-brighton-hippodrome.