Opponents of plans to build two 'pavilions' by Brighton's West Pier are putting their money where their mouths are today.

They have spent £800 on an advertisement in The Argus newspaper voicing doubts about the scheme by developers St Modwen and the Brighton West Pier Trust.

The scheme for large leisure buildings on either side of the historic West Pier in Brighton goes before planners on Wednesday with a recommendation for approval.

But the Regency Society and 14 other amenity groups in Brighton are united in asking councillors on the planning committee not to approve it there and then.

Society secretary John Small said: "There seems to have been a campaign that a decision on the pier must be made on Wednesday but this is not so."

He said the amenity societies were united in their view that the development would spoil the view of the very structure it was designed to preserve.

"The advertisement is a way of trying to say to the committee it should not rush a decision."

Rupert Radcliffe-Genge, a leading member of the society, placed the ad with The Argus.

He said: "All the societies are united in saying this is a bad idea. It is the wrong plan at the wrong time."

The trust and St Modwen said they did not want to compete in an advertising campaign.

Chief executive Geoff Lockwood said: "Our stance is to be positive about our proposals as the only realistic and the last chance to restore the West Pier rather than being drawn into an argument about alternatives.

"In his book Brave New City, Anthony Seldon opined that the local conservation/heritage societies had become a drag anchor on the future vibrancy of the city.

"I share that view but my experience in trying to secure plans for the restoration of the West Pier over the past seven-and-a-half years is that those societies are damaging and devaluing the term and role of heritage to such an extent that before long we could have another wave of Sixties vandalism.

"By opposing every new development, they show a blind negativity which invites their dismissal as sources of responsible views."