County councils have been accused of failing to provide their fair share of cheaper homes in Sussex.

Brighton and Hove City Council, which demands that 40 per cent of new homes in large developments are affordable, has criticised East and West Sussex County Councils for not doing their bit.

A report written by council officials contrasts the city's attempts to provide a "significant" proportion of low-cost homes with the "lack of will" demonstrated by its neighbours.

It suggests the counties are also failing to build enough new homes overall.

The report says: "It is apparent there is a lack of will to seriously tackle the issue of affordable housing along with the overall level of housing to be provided."

The three councils constitute a sub-region of the South-East known as Sussex Coast, which has been charged with the task of negotiating detailed house-building targets for the next two decades.

The targets will be announced in draft form by the South East England Regional Assembly next month.

Tony Reid, deputy leader of East Sussex County Council, defended the record of rural councils on affordable homes and accused the Government of failing to invest in local infrastructure.

He said: "We are all committed to recognising there is a need for subsidised housing in the area but the counties are saying you can't have the same level of affordable housing in every development. Ultimately it is down to what residents want and we need to protect the character of rural communities."

But Brighton and Hove City Council's position will be strengthened with the forthcoming publication of the Regional Housing Strategy, which will recommend that all authorities in the South-East meet a 40 per cent target.

The council's report warns there is likely to be a huge shortfall in low-cost housing.

Sussex Coast is reckoned to need more than 6,600 new low-cost homes a year - more than double the total amount of housing expected to be built.

Brighton and Hove is said to require 2,500 cheaper homes a year to keep up with demand. Currently only 15.7 per cent of its housing is social, compared with the national average of 19.3 per cent.

At Wednesday's meeting of the policy and resources committee councillors stuck with the policy of seeking 40 per cent on sites of ten or more houses.

It will now form part of the Brighton and Hove local plan, which will guide development in the city for the next three years.