Councillors have hit back over criticism of a seafront promenade.

Brighton and Hove City Council has come under fire from residents, traders and politicians, who claim certain parts of the seafront have become no-go zones.

In a letter to the council, which was printed in The Argus last week, they said Hove seafront had become dangerous and unsightly because of poor lighting, broken CCTV cameras, litter and a bandstand that looked like a building site.

Yesterday The Argus reported the council's decision to spend £250,000 on improving CCTV coverage and lighting along Hove promenade.

An application has been made to the National Lottery for money to smarten up the bandstand.

Deputy leader Gill Mitchell, chairwoman of the environment committee, said: "We work very closely with other partners, traders and police to promote safety.

"The criticisms over the last couple of weeks have been mainly in relation to cleanliness. We have doubled the workforce in the summer months. People do drop litter but we clear it up."

Councillor Mitchell said the Yellowave development on Madeira Drive was one of various measures the council was taking to improve the area.

The Olympic-standard beach venue will be used as a training centre for teams competing in the London Olympics in 2012.

Work begins on the £450,000 development on September 11.

It will be ready for use by the public in March 2007.

Ms Mitchell said the future of the area would depend on whether the 150-metre high i360 observation tower is given the go-ahead.

She added the council had made further efforts to improve the seafront area, including refurbishing beach huts, realigning the Volks Railway, improving beach access and liaising with traders and police to promote safety and security.

A children's paddling pool was recently filled in by the West Pier and is currently being used as an informal skate park.

Seafront officer Vicki Miller said that thanks to the hot weather, it has been Brighton and Hove seafront's busiest summer ever.

She said: "Dealing with all these people and the variety of incidents we attend takes a huge amount of resources."

Ms Miller said a mobility mat had recently been laid out on the beach to help people who have difficulty moving on the pebbles enjoy the seaside.

She said: "This has been very successful. It is extremely popular and people are loving it."