Tory and Lib Dem councillors fear they will lose their seats at the next elections if plans to change ward boundaries go ahead.

A major review of political wards is currently being undertaken by Brighton and Hove Council's modernisation and development task group.

It is considering reducing the existing number of wards from 26 to 22, and the number of councillors from 79 to 64.

Details of the new boundaries are being kept under wraps, but The Argus understands the council wants to create 12 new wards.

Tory and Liberal Democrat councillors claim that wards they currently hold will be harder to defend.

But Labour denied it was gerrymandering.

Task group member and Labour councillor John Warmington said: "Council officers drew up theproposals, not councillors, so there is no suggestion of political flavour to the new boundaries.

" I am sure officers were careful to ensure that each ward met Government criteria in terms of size and numbers of electors.

"If other parties are suggesting that this is politically-motivated, I don't believe they are right - simply because councillors have not drawn up the boundaries.

"The current draft will be used as the basis for discussions by all parties before any decisions are made later this summer."

It is proposed to extend some wards like Hangleton, and Brunswick and Adelaide in Hove, to include areas which have more potential Labour voters.

Hangleton, currently held by Conservatives Mark Barnard, Peter Willows and Gerry Kielty, will become Hangleton and Knoll.

The new ward will be extendedto include hundreds of potential Labour voters on the Knoll estate.

Its boundaries will also push further south across the Old Shoreham Road to the edge of Portland Road, Hove.

Brunswick and Adelaide, held by Lib Dems Paul Elgood, Dawn Davidson and David Watkins, will also get a new identity.

It will become Brunswick and Regency, combining two of the most densely-populated wards in Brighton and Hove.

Regency ward is a Labour stronghold and Lib Dems in the neighbouring Brunswick already admit they would face an uphill struggle at the next elections if the changes are approved.

Lib Dem leader Coun Paul Elgood said: "If Labour pushes through these changes we will fight them all the way and are already considering taking our case to the Boundaries Commission."

Tory councillor Mark Barnard said: "This is blatant gerrymandering. They are fixing the political map to improve their chances of being re-elected.

"Hangleton has been extended into the Labour strongholds of Knoll and North Hove which will increase their vote."

Two new combined wards of Moulsecoomb and Falmer, and Hollingbury and Coldean will be created, resulting in the disappearance of Stanmer ward.

Tory-held Westdene and Stanford wards are also going to be replaced by a new Withdean ward.

New wards of Central Hove, Kingsway, County Ground, Portland and Hove Park will also be created.