Parents have criticised plans to create a 'super-surgery', combining three existing ones in a former office block off Preston Road, Brighton.

The three are Stanford Avenue, Beaconsfield Villas and Highcroft Villas, which is temporarily based in Chatsworth Road.

Although the new building is within half a mile of the surgeries, it will be more difficult for some patients to get there.

In a questionnaire asking for views, several expressed worries about travel problems.

One patient wrote: "As I have two children I will find the move to Preston Park quite inconvenient. I will not use the car as I do not want to increase traffic in an area where it is already heavy."

Another said: "As I live close by and do not drive, I will either have to walk for 40 minutes with my children, get two buses each way or take a taxi each way. I do not feel this is a reasonable distance."

Others have backed the plans, saying the existing buildings are too cramped and the new surgery will provide a better environment and a wider variety of services.

Discussions are under way with the providers of the park and ride bus to add stops along Dyke Road. The practices plan to offer a free taxi phone and are trying to arrange lower fares for patients.

The new development, which should be ready by June, will include room for up to 20 GPs and two nurse practitioners.