Brighton and Hove has been ruled out as a base for short-term asylum seekers, the Home Office announced last night.

Several hotels in the city had put in bids to take asylum seekers on a short- term basis but none has been successful.

It means none of the extra 1,200 asylum seekers Britain will take when the Sangatte camp in Northern France closes at the end of the year, will come to the city.

But at least 60 of the extra asylum seekers will be moved to Hastings. The Adelphi Hotel, just off the seafront, has been selected by the Home Office as suitable accommodation.

News that Brighton and Hove has not been chosen means the Grand Ocean Hotel in Saltdean will not become a major base for asylum seekers.

Residents had objected when rumours surfaced the hotel, which can accommodate 598 guests, was to become a base for asylum seekers.

Neighbours protested on the grounds already hard-pressed local amenities could not cope.

A meeting to clear the air about the situation was attended by almost 200 residents in October this year.

Local councillor David Smith said: "I believe this is a victory for people power. There were real concerns local facilities would be overrun with a sudden influx of asylum seekers. There will be relief all round."

A statement from the council said: "This does not mean Brighton and Hove will not be taking any more asylum seekers.

"It means they will not be coming here on a short- term basis for induction purposes. There is nothing to stop asylum seekers eventually coming to Brighton and Hove any more than there is for them to go to anywhere else."

The council estimates there are about 160 known asylum seekers in the city still receiving some sort of support from the council.