Residents who have been forced to move out of falling-down flats in Portslade, are to be awarded £1,500 compensation.

Brighton and Hove City Council has agreed to pay the cash to tenants living in its Denmark Road flats to help with moving costs.

It follows an appeal from South Portslade ward Labour councillors Sue John and Les Hamilton.

The disabled and elderly tenants were told in November they would have to leave the flats after gaping cracks appeared in some of the walls.

The council will carry out a full survey to decide what work needs to be done or whether the flats, built on an old rubbish tip in the Fifties, need to be knocked down.

Work to shore them up is estimated to cost £1.5 million.

Coun John said she was pleased the money had been granted to residents. She said: "It was a discretionary payment in recognition of the fact they had to uproot and find new homes."

Out of the 16 flats, 12 tenants have already moved and one will follow shortly.

The council has been trying to match tenants with new homes to suit their needs and is still arranging alternative accommodation for the remaining three.

But not all residents are satisfied with the money on offer. Some do not believe it covers the cost of home improvements they have carried out at their own expense.

Maurice Forrest has complained to the local government watchdog about the way the council has handled the move.

He has had his garden paved and wants a council officer to assess how much money he has spent on his house.

Frances Reeve said the £1,500 would be welcome. But she was still waiting for the council to offer her a home in Portslade.

A council spokesperson said: "We have agreed to make a lump sum payment of £1,500 to each of the tenants once they have moved out. This is a goodwill payment that reflects our awareness of how unsettling it has been for the tenants to have to move."

Councillor Steve Collier, ward councillor for Portslade South, said tenants who have made home improvements would have to apply to the council for compensation.

He said: "I am disappointed it has taken so long for them to realise the tenants need the compensation."