Plans to revive a major leisure complex could be delayed for up to a year following the collapse of a previous project.

The £25 million scheme for the King Alfred Leisure Centre on Hove seafront folded last year after councillors rejected revised plans from developers Citygrove.

A new project manager will not join Brighton and Hove Council's major projects team, run by culture director Sarah Tanburn, until February 26.

Their main task will be to take the development forward.

The new officer will be asked to put together a development brief which will be used to attract potential partners.

A Brighton and Hove Council spokesman said: "Writing the brief is likely to take at least three months from when they start.

"That's because we want to include very extensive public consultation, asking people what they would like to see on the site. We'll also consult various interest groups for their views."

Paul Elgood, Liberal Democrat group leader, said: "It is another stalling of a vital project for Hove.

"We appreciate the need for consultation but surely the council can move along faster than this.

"How much longer will local people have to wait to get the scheme they want? This delay means it will be at least another year before anything happens."

The much-criticised Citygrove scheme included cinemas, a casino, restaurants and bars as well as a new sports centre.

The council spokesman said: "The basic principle will remain the same, a public sports centre paid for by a private development.

"It is vital this happens in the long term because the cost of maintaining the centre is a constant financial drain and provides only a short-term solution.

"We'll also need to consult with planners and see what sort of development might be acceptable.

"Until that's done we're not going to speculate on what it might be."