Cyclists are being urged to stop using fast-flashing bike lights over fears they could trigger epileptic fits.

The Brighton and Hove branch of Epilepsy Action, the group which represents hundreds of thousands of people who suffer from the condition, expressed its concern about the rapidly flickering beacons after several of its members experienced problems.

The organisation said the lights cause people with the condition to feel ill and disorientated adding it could trigger partial seizures and full-blown convulsions.

In a letter addressed to Brighton and Hove cycling group Bricycles, the branch requested cyclists in the city ditch the flickering lights in favour of a continuous shining lamp.

The group said action needed to be taken about both rear and front lights.

Chris Juden, of CTC, the UK’s national organisation for cyclists, said people using bikes had to balance "possible discomfort" for pedestrians against the risk of traumatic injury or death for cyclists.

Mr Juden added steps, such as a law stating lights cannot flash more than four times a second, had already been taken to avoid triggering epilepsy.