Villagers have turned on Brighton Kemptown MP Des Turner after he weighed into the heated debate on where to site a new city sewage plant.

Mr Turner refused to rule out the contentious site at Ovingdean, which is strongly opposed by local people.

Southern Water has suggested eight possible sites for the centre to serve Brighton and Hove.

In a personal letter Dr Turner said: "Though Ovingdean is far from ideal as it is a greenfield site, it would be in a field that is not virgin chalk grassland and the proposals are for a discreet construction."

Robert Mojab, chairman of the Campaign for Ovingdean Against Sewage Treatment (Coast), said the MP had been selective and arbitrary.

He added: "I asked for his support and now we have been stabbed in the back."

Rottingdean Tory councillors, whose ward includes Ovingdean, sent an emergency letter to every house in the village at the weekend.

It outlined Dr Turner's opinions and urged people to contact him with their views.

Tory councillor Lynda Hyde said "We are truly working for the residents. This is more than you can say for our MP."

Her colleague, Coun David Smith, said: "This confirms our worst fears and we believe Des Turner has come out in favour of Ovingdean."

Coast is now organising a demonstration to take place at the site and the Ovingdean roundabout on Saturday.

Simon Burgess, personal assistant to Dr Turner, said: "He has always argued for a brownfield or industrial site and against the loss of any of our valuable green land."

Mr Burgess said of the sites in Dr Turner's constituency, Ovingdean could be described as the least worst option.