Neighbours have been criticised for fighting plans for a home for abused and traumatised children.

Brighton and Hove City Council has received more than 200 letters of objection from householders campaigning to stop a family home in Dyke Road, Brighton, being converted into a children's home.

Hove-based company Lioncare Ltd hopes to house seven children aged five to 14, which it says "may have experienced abusive situations of an extreme nature resulting in them suffering trauma and difficulties managing their day to day life".

They would be supervised and live in the detached house which would replace an existing service in Seafield Road, Hove.

Matt Vince, director of Lioncare, said when he offered to meet with residents and councillors they refused.

He said: "I was really shocked when I heard about the opposition to this. I don't want to think it's prejudice but I am running out of other ideas. In a multi-cultural cosmopolitan city like Brighton and Hove you wouldn't expect this.

"We are talking about children who, for reasons outside their control, cannot live at home. God forbid they find out about this - they would be devastated.

"If they did it would confirm everything they may have been told in the past - that they are worthless, they are nothing.

"We are talking about seven young children who are here for the long term. They are not yobs, some are even scared to go out on their own."

The proposals have sparked uproar in the road, where neighbours fear the children would run amok, increase antisocial behaviour and make older people and younger children feel vulnerable.

Retired air commodore John Langston, who is 82 and has lived next door to the house for 25 years, said: "It is a preposterous proposal.

"From a safety point of view it's crazy to have this house on a main busy road.

"There is not really space for the children to play in the garden. They are saying they will have to put up an acoustic fence - it's going to look like Colditz. Even if it is made of brick or wood and is 8ft or 10ft high it still won't protect people on the upper floors of adjacent houses."

Neighbour Mary Austin said: "I chose to live here to have a peaceful retirement and with these children around it won't be."

Mark Lee, of Barnardo's children's charity, added: "All children deserve a safe and caring home setting in which to develop and grow, regardless of their background and upbringing. Accommodation for all children and particularly those who may have experienced extreme trauma or disadvantage is a necessity in order for their chance of a brighter future."

The application, recommended for approval, will be discussed by councillors today.