Television's Mr Nasty, Simon Cowell, hopes his usually acid tongue can sweet-talk a council into changing plans to build a park-and-ride site near an animal rescue centre.

The American Pop Idol panellist, whose brutal put-downs have earned him the reputation as the world's harshest music judge, has joined a campaign to fight proposals for the scheme which could close the RSPCA rescue centre at Patcham.

Brighton and Hove City Council has identified land at Braypool, Patcham, as one of two possible sites for a park-and-ride scheme.

Charity workers at the RSPCA shelter say it could be forced to close if the proposal is given the go-ahead.

Simon has proved his bark is worse than his bite by calling from Los Angeles to throw his weight behind a campaign to fight the proposals.

Simon's mother, Julie Cowell, 80, from Ovingdean, who is a supporter of the RSPCA at Patcham, said: "He is very upset about this. He is 100 per cent behind our campaign to fight it. The animal shelter is under threat over this."

Simon proved he had a soft spot for animals by taking time out from his busy schedule last summer to judge a dog show at the Patcham centre. He also made a sizeable donation.

His mother, who has a Yorkshire terrier called Harry, said Simon and his younger brother Nick grew up with a house full of pets.

Julie has worked at the Patcham centre and leaves Harry in the care of staff there when she is away. She plans to protest outside the council's next full meeting on March 3.

Jenny Wells, manager of the Patcham centre, which was gifted to the charity in 1962, said of Simon and his mum: "They are both keen supporters of the shelter."

Ms Wells said the centre would be hemmed in by a park-and-ride scheme and would also lose its access road.

Staff are collecting names on a petition to be presented to the council.

Councillor Ken Bodfish, chairman of Brighton and Hove's policy and resources committee, said: "When Mr Cowell visits Brighton and Hove in the future, we would like to ensure he, and the thousands of others that come here, enjoy a fast and efficient journey into the city centre. We also want to provide real choice for people in how they travel.

"Park and ride and rapid transport are part of the council's long-term transport strategy. This includes measures such as better management of parking and improved facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport.

"These measures will help provide greater travel choices for many people, which will be essential for the success of new building developments in the city such as Brighton Marina and the King Alfred."

Councillors on the policy and resources committee voted on January 26 to carry out further investigations of two potential sites - Patcham Court Farm and Braypool Playing Fields - before a final decision is taken.