Residents have vowed they will fight £650 million plans to redevelop an eyesore site in Hove.

They have set up a fighting fund and have briefed a solicitor to oppose the scheme.

They say they would rather see the former Alliance and Leicester building in Hove stay as it is until an alternative scheme is drawn up.

Developers The Cuckfield Group want to bulldoze the decaying concrete building, which overlooks Hove Park, and put up offices and housing, creating jobs for up to 2,000 people.

Last night more than 120 residents packed into a meeting at Aldrington School, Hove, to voice their objections to the proposals.

Geoff Pollard, of North East Hove Park Residents' Association, said: "Everyone was against it. We feel it will alter the character and atmosphere of the area.

"The feeling is that we would rather see it stay as it is for another four years unless they can come up with something better.

"The infrastructure around Hove Park is already overloaded and there are too many cars using roads in the area.

"Bringing so many more can only result in chaos for drivers and residents.

"When the Albion were at the Goldstone Ground we only had supporters' cars parking here once a week for home games.

"With so many more cars parking in the area it would be like an Albion home game every day of the week."

He said residents had agreed to set up a fighting fund to pay a solicitor to oppose the plans.

But he said they were also holding the door open for discussions with the developers.

He said: "Nobody from The Cuckfield Group came to the meeting last night, despite our invitation to send someone.

"We would still like to hear from them and will arrange another meeting at any time so they can answer our questions."