Calls for an investigation into why a controversial parking scheme was delayed at the last moment have been rejected.

The central Hove controlled parking scheme should have come into operation on July 16, at the same time as Brighton and Hove City Council took over parking control from the police.

But assistant environment director Sheila Holden told the scrutiny management committee the timetable had been very tight and it was decided to postpone introduction for two weeks.

She said it had been hard to recruit enough people to deal with permits and get the white lines for parking bays marked out in time.

Ms Holden said problems with vandalism at some pay-and-display schemes had proved to be the final straw.

She said: "A decision was taken to postpone the Hove scheme to allow matters such as signs, lines and machines to be checked."

Liberal Democrat group leader Paul Elgood said: "Many people were left in the dark when the scheme was postponed."

The Argus reported at the time the reasons for the delay but Councillor Elgood thought residents should have been personally informed.

Labour councillor Christine Simpson said nothing would be gained from an inquiry into the issue when it was plain what had happened but called for better communication in future.

Tory councillor Jenny Langston said the delay had caused a great deal of confusion.