A fire at a day centre for vulnerable people could have been started by an irate neighbour, police have been told.

The arson attack devastated three rooms at St Anne's Day Centre in Kemp Town, Brighton.

Sussex Police has been told a petrol bomb could have been thrown by a resident fed up with disturbance and street drinking by service users.

A force spokeswoman confirmed some names were given to police on Wednesday and officers are investigating.

The blaze at St John the Baptist Church's Fitzherbert Centre in Upper Bedford Street started on Monday about 11.15pm.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: "The arson was obviously committed by someone who has got a cross to bear. The local neighbours are up in arms."

He told The Argus residents were particularly annoyed the centre had banned smoking inside, so visitors congregated on the foreground.

He said: "I think they are doing a very good service but there are a lot of boozers who do make themselves a public nuisance."

John Woodgate, 73, who lives nearby in St George's Terrace, said some neighbours were so fed up with the centre they had been saying the fire wasn't big enough.

His partner Peter Vaughan, 46, said: "There have been a lot of problems there. A lot of people have been quite threatening, especially to the older community."

Mr Vaughan said the centre was generally supported by local people and was given food by the Kemptown Deli in St George's Road.

He said: "It isn't as if it is not a supported establishment. I think that is good but it has been allowed to deteriorate for so long."

The couple thought the fire was more likely to have been started by a disgruntled service user.

Vincent Kirk, 70, of Hampshire Court, opposite the centre, said users often gathered outside. He said: "They can be abusive. They go for their lunch. I don't mind that but they do make a racket."

Eileen O'Leary, managing director of the centre, said it had forged strong links with the community and was supported by neighbours. She said she always confiscated alcohol from people outside and told them not to congregate in groups of three or more.

She said there were "about 20 theories" about who started the fire.

Anthony Price, chief supervisor and committee member, said: "We have got the people off the street. We have a good relationship with neighbours - that is very important - but wherever somewhere like this is sited, it is always going to have issues.

"What we find is when people know what we do here, they change their attitude."

Linda Farmar, (corr) owner of Kemptown Deli, believed local people were concerned about the arson attack. She said: "It was so awful."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Brighton CID on 0845 60 70 999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

*The Brighton Soup Run, operated from the centre, is taking place as normal at the Peace Statue, Hove Lawns, Hove on weekdays at 7pm and in Marine Drive, Brighton every night at 8pm.