A community has joined together to fight plans to build a park-and-ride.

The people of Patcham, near Brighton, have vowed to do all they can to stop Brighton and Hove City Council from building a 900-space scheme.

Residents have joined forces with allotment holders, supporters of an animal shelter and city councillors.

Until now, protesters had fought a fragmented campaign against two locations put forward by the council.

At a packed meeting in Patcham Memorial Hall on Saturday, they decided to organise a joint letter-writing campaign and petition.

Council officers are researching the idea of building the car park at Patcham Court Farm, just south of the A23/A27 junction or on Braypool playing field slightly further north.

Developing Patcham Court Farm would require the demolition of six homes in Vale Avenue as well as a set of allotments.

Building on Braypool playing field would remove a community facility used by football teams and people walking dogs for the adjacent RSPCA shelter.

Brighton and Hove City Council has said it is waiting for the outcome of its investigations before the policy and resources committee decides whether either site should be used.

At Saturday's meeting Frances Lindsay-Hills, chairwoman of Mid Sussex and Brighton RSPCA, said: "It is most important we don't dissipate our energies by fighting each other.

"We need to fight on a united front."

Chairing the meeting, Bill Wood said: "We are not just talking about the residents or the allotment holders. A whole community is going to be affected."

Another meeting will be held in Patcham Community Centre on April 9 at 10.30am.

Tuesday March 8, 2005