A leading councillor has denied her authority was to blame for the closure of a Citizens Advice Bureau.

Brighton and Hove Cabinet councillor Sue John urged the CAB to think again about its decision to shut its Hove office.

The CAB made the decision after the city council cut its grant.

Two petitions condemning the city council for its grant decision have been handed in by Liberal Democrat leader Paul Elgood and by Green councillor Rik Child.

But Coun John told the policy and resources committee the decision was made solely by the CAB.

She added: "It is their decision and not ours. We do not accept it as inevitable or agree with it."

Coun John, who serves on the Brighton and Hove CAB, said she had consistently argued against the closure.

She said the CAB would concentrate its activities on the Brighton offices near the railway station which were overcrowded and had poor access.