More than £400,000 will be spent on repairing the Brighton Centre - even though it may be demolished.

City councillors last night approved the spending on the conference and entertainment centre, which opened at a cost of £10 million in 1977.

Liberal Democrat group leader Paul Elgood raised the issue at a meeting of the policy and resources committee.

He asked: "Why are we spending almost £500,000 on this building when I read in the Argus it may be pulled down?"

We revealed on Saturday that councillors were considering options for the ageing centre ranging from renovation to knocking down and rebuilding it.

Councillor Ian Duncan said: "The amount of money being spent on the Brighton Centre is entirely taken up with agreed maintenance work under contract.

"Whatever happens to the Brighton Centre, this would not make any difference."

Coun Duncan said no decision had yet been made about the long-term future of the Brighton Centre.

He added: "We are looking at all sorts of possibilities. As soon as we have anything positive, we will let people know."

The total bill of £443,000 includes maintenance to many parts of the building and replacing some ceilings in the balconies.