A surveyor is pressing for Brighton and Hove to have an office and business park.

Martin Clark, of Stiles Harold Williams, said: "Most towns in the South East with a population the size of Brighton and Hove would normally have two or three."

Mr Clark was commenting on Brighton and Hove Council's economic development action plan which mentions several possible sites for development but does not say there should be a business park.

The council is under great pressure for space because the town is squeezed between the English Channel and the Downs.

Mr Clark said the building of the Brighton bypass had produced possible new sites on the south side of the road.

He added: "There are many beautiful areas of the Sussex Downs but the sites adjacent to the junctions of the A27 necessarily are not."

Mr Clark said some if not all of the sites should be released for development to stop firms leaving the town for Burgess Hill and Crawley.

He added: "The danger is that Brighton and Hove could simply become a dormitory town, housing workers who commute elsewhere."

Mr Clark has suggested nine possible sites which could tempt firms to Brighton and Hove - Bexhill Road in Woodingdean, Toad's Hole Valley in Hove, Benfield Valley in Hove, Waterhall north of Patcham, the Patcham Court Farm area, Falmer, Woollard's Field near Moulsecoomb, the Jotun Henry site at Hollingbury and Old Boat Corner at Hollingbury.

He said: "It is particularly important to attract potentially large employers who can bring enormous benefits besides just employment to the town."

Councillors approved the plan but agreed to take note of his comments and those of other business leaders. Crucial decisions on greenfield sites will be made by councillors in August.