The Argus campaign to keep breast cancer services in Brighton has been unanimously backed by members of Brighton and Hove City Council.

In what was said to be the first unanimous decision in two years, all councillors voted to call upon Brighton Health Care NHS Trust to reconsider its proposal to move the Nigel Porter Breast Care Unit out of the city.

However, the harmonious mood at last night's Hove Town Hall council meeting was disrupted by social workers angry at the fallout after the death of four-year-old John Smith.

The activists burst into the public gallery and interrupted the initial debates with jeering and shouting.

Together with No campaigners on the mayoral referendum and other protesters, they interrupted the breast cancer debate to give a raucous exit speech.

After backing the Argus campaign in a speech, Councillor Alison Hermitage blasted the activists for their insensitivity.

The Labour councillor, who is also a GP, said: "For someone who is supposedly a caring professional to interrupt a debate on breast cancer is extremely insensitive."

After the meeting, Labour councillor Pat Hawkes, who helped bring forward the notice of motion, welcomed the unanimous vote.

She said: "This is the first time I can remember a motion being passed unanimously in at least two years."

Coun Hawkes said it was an "indignity beyond belief" to expect women to travel to the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath for breast care.

She paid tribute to The Argus campaign, saying: "This is the way that local papers should work."

She said: "The powers that be in the health economy really have to understand we councillors represent every corner of this community.

"Everyone here feels so strongly about this that ways must be found to keep this crucial service within the city."

Several woman councillors spoke about their experience of attending the Nigel Porter Unit, either for tests or treatment.

Conservative councillor Ann Norman said her own experience of visiting the unit was "unbelievably stressful" and added: "Imagine the intolerable pressures if the journey was not a short one."

She said women might be put off seeking early treatment if they had to travel so far and suggested setting up a service in Hove.

Leader of the Conservative group, Councillor Brian Oxley, also backed the motion.

Coun Oxley said: "Keeping the facilities in Brighton is vital for people on low incomes, for relatives who wish to visit patients and to have somewhere local to go for treatment if a diagnosis proves to be positive."

Councillor Jayne Bennett pointed out: "Many NHS buildings have been lost in this area and there are plans for yet more to be sold off."

For more information on the campaign see thisisbrightonandhove.co.uk/issues